In a dramatic twist at the Colombo Mayor election, 8 SJB councillors who pledged support yesterday switched sides today, helping National People’s Power’s Vrai Kelley Balthazar secure a surprise win.
In a dramatic political turnaround, the Colombo Municipal Council election for Mayor witnessed a shocking betrayal as eight councillors from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), who had signed a letter of support just yesterday, voted in favor of the National People’s Power (NPP) candidate today. Ms. Vrai Kelley Balthazar of the NPP emerged victorious with 61 votes, defeating SJB’s candidate Riza Sarook, who received only 54 votes.
The betrayal stunned the opposition alliance, which had confidently submitted a letter to the Municipal Commissioner on Sunday, containing 62 signatures pledging support for Sarook. The letter was accompanied by a request for an open vote in the council to solidify their position. However, during the secret ballot held today, only 54 votes materialized for Sarook, indicating that eight councillors had jumped ship to support the Compass—the NPP’s symbol.
This unexpected crossover not only altered the outcome of the Colombo mayoral race but also exposed cracks within the SJB-led coalition. The election of Balthazar as Colombo’s new Mayor marks a significant gain for the National People’s Power, further expanding its influence after gaining control of multiple councils across the country. The developments suggest deeper instability within opposition alliances and set the stage for more defections in upcoming local government battles.
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