As of June 2, the official term of all local government bodies in Sri Lanka begins, following a Gazette notification issued by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government. This marks a significant step forward after weeks of political negotiations and delays in naming elected representatives.
Out of the 340 local authorities in the country, 161 councils where a single political party or an independent group holds a clear majority can begin forming their local governments today. According to the Election Commission, these councils will hold their inaugural meetings and proceed with the appointment of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons without delay.
For the remaining local government bodies, where no party holds a simple majority, the situation is more complex. These institutions will be convened by Local Government Commissioners, under whose leadership the first council meetings will be held to determine leadership appointments.
Missed Deadlines and Political Scramble
The deadline to submit the names of elected members from the 2025 Local Government Election lapsed on May 30. Despite a Gazette issued on May 27 mandating the immediate submission of those names, political parties and independent groups were slow to respond. However, as of today, the names have been officially gazetted, enabling the legal formation of councils.
Notably, some local authorities show no single party securing more than 50% of the seats. This has triggered intense backroom negotiations, with the ruling National People’s Power (NPP), the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and a host of independent groups all vying to secure control by building alliances.
What Happens When No Party Has a Majority?
According to Sriyani Ruwanara Wijesundara, Director of Women’s Political Rights at Accountability Lab in Asia, lacking a 50% majority is not an insurmountable problem. “The issue becomes critical only during the appointment of the chairperson or mayor,” she told BBC Sinhala.
In councils without a majority, the Local Government Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner will preside over the first meeting. During this meeting, a vote will be held to elect a chairperson or mayor by common consensus. Once elected, the new chairperson will preside over the meeting to appoint a vice-chairperson, also by consensus.
Ms. Wijesundara emphasized that such minority councils can still function efficiently, governed by the provisions in the Municipal and Urban Councils Ordinance and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act.
Can Power Be Formed Through Alliances?
Dharmasiri Nanayakkara, Executive Director of Accountability Lab in Asia and former Deputy Local Government Commissioner, clarified that under the Elections Ordinance, if a single party secures 50% or more of the seats, the party’s General Secretary has the authority to appoint the chairperson and vice-chairperson.
However, if no single party meets that threshold, the council must elect a chairperson through a formal vote. Mr. Nanayakkara explained that even in councils where one party holds the largest number of seats, the chairperson can be elected from a different party if they secure over 50% of the votes during the session.
In such cases, the Local Government Commissioner oversees the first session, during which all elected members cast their votes to choose a leader.
Today’s commencement of council terms is a milestone in Sri Lanka’s delayed local governance process. Yet the road ahead, especially in councils with no clear majority, promises intense political maneuvering. While the system allows for flexibility, the real test will be whether diverse political actors can cooperate to deliver effective local governance.
Whether consensus or conflict defines this new chapter of local government in Sri Lanka remains to be seen.
