In a sharp rebuttal to government maneuvering, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) stalwart Mujibur Rahman has declared that the opposition not the ruling party is poised to appoint the next Mayor of Colombo, citing clear legal provisions in the Local Government Act.
Speaking to reporters, Rahman emphasized that no party secured an outright majority in the Colombo Municipal Council following the recent local government elections. As such, the law mandates that the mayor must be chosen through a formal vote among council members not simply by political persuasion or public claim.
“If a party doesn’t have a majority, they don’t get to pick the Mayor by default,” Rahman stated. “The law is clear: there must be an official election. I suggest the government read the bill properly before rushing to claim victory.”
He went on to assert that the SJB already has 46 councillors aligned under its coalition, just shy of the 48 seats the government holds. However, Rahman hinted that additional support from independent and opposition-aligned members is forthcoming enough to tip the balance in the council’s leadership vote.
“We’re not blocking the government from forming councils elsewhere,” he clarified. “In fact, we’re cooperating where necessary. But in Colombo, it’s a different story. The numbers are on our side.”
Rahman’s comments come as the race for Colombo’s mayoralty heats up, with both government and opposition camps scrambling to secure the crucial majority needed in council votes. Behind the scenes, negotiations and political horse-trading are already in motion, with every vote potentially swinging the outcome.
As the June 2 internal election for Mayor and Deputy Mayor approaches, all eyes are on the Colombo Municipal Council chambers. But if Mujibur Rahman’s confidence is any indication, the government may be in for a surprise at the finish line.
