A political showdown is unfolding in Colombo today as the newly elected Colombo Municipal Council meets for its inaugural session at 9:30 AM at the historic Colombo City Hall. At the heart of the meeting is the crucial election to appoint a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor—a vote expected to be fiercely contested, given that no political party secured a clear majority in the recent local government election.
The contest has come down to two main candidates: Vraie Cally Balthazaar, representing the National People’s Power (NPP), and Riza Sarook from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). Balthasar, a member of the NPP executive committee, is backed by the largest bloc in the council with 48 seats. Meanwhile, Sarook, a lawyer and businesswoman, represents the SJB and is supported by 29 seats, as well as an alliance of other opposition groups.
The 117-member council is fragmented across several political parties. In addition to the NPP’s 48 seats and the SJB’s 29, the United National Party (UNP) holds 13, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has 5, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has 4, and 18 seats are held by various smaller parties and independents. A simple majority of 59 is needed to win the mayoralty, prompting both major candidates to aggressively court the support of independents and minor parties.
The SJB-led alliance, which includes the SLPP, UNP, SLMC and others, initially appeared to have a strong footing. However, internal friction surfaced when UNP MP Ramzi Imtiaz expressed objections to Sarook’s candidacy and threatened to abstain. The SJB stood firm, confirming Sarook as their chosen nominee, but the discord has reportedly created tensions within the alliance.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been actively involved in solidifying support for the opposition candidate, while President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has personally engaged with independent council members, many of whom are said to have pledged their votes to the NPP’s Balthasar. With the mayoral position within reach, both sides are making last-minute moves to tip the numbers in their favor.
This election holds particular national significance. Among the 339 local government bodies elected in May, the Colombo Municipal Council stands as the most prestigious. As the capital and administrative heart of the country, control of Colombo carries symbolic and strategic weight. The NPP, having already taken control of 151 councils across Sri Lanka, sees Colombo as a vital extension of its political footprint. On the other hand, the opposition alliance views a win in Colombo as proof of its ability to form coalitions and challenge the ruling party’s dominance.
The results of the vote, expected this afternoon, will signal whether the NPP can extend its urban power into Sri Lanka’s most important city or whether the opposition can rally its fragmented forces for a surprise victory. With alliances tested, loyalties shifting, and the political future of Colombo at stake, all eyes are on the City Hall today.
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