Sajith Premadasa accuses authorities of violating official guidelines by holding secret ballots for council leadership votes, alleging political pressure and democratic subversion in Colombo and beyond
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has launched a scathing criticism against the Local Government Commissioner and central authorities over what he calls a blatant breach of democratic norms during the recent selection of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in local councils.
In a special statement today, Premadasa revealed that the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government had already issued a set of clear and formalized guidelines for the process. These guidelines were specifically designed to manage scenarios where no political party or independent group commands more than 50% of seats in a local government body. Notably, they outlined the procedures for conducting either an open vote or a secret ballot and how to gauge the opinion of each member.
According to Premadasa, these procedures were followed successfully across various parts of the country. As a result, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and other opposition parties managed to secure leadership positions in multiple councils—until the current government allegedly changed the rules midstream.
Page 7 of the official guideline document, Premadasa said, clearly describes how to handle voting scenarios and when to implement secret or open ballots. However, he noted that in councils such as Colombo, the rules were arbitrarily altered—especially after 60 council members had already signed a document requesting an open vote.
“What justification can there be for ignoring the written request of 60 councillors?” Premadasa asked. “Who instructed the Commissioner to proceed with a secret ballot despite formal consent for an open one?”
He expressed concern that political interference from senior levels of government may have influenced these decisions. “We’re witnessing a blatant violation of democratic norms. Holding a secret ballot when an open vote has been requested undermines transparency and fairness,” he said.
Premadasa acknowledged and thanked Local Government Commissioners who had adhered to the original rules but warned that those who acted otherwise may have done so undue influence. “Was there a phone call from above? Was there pressure to derail the democratic process just because the opposition was gaining ground?”
The Opposition Leader called the change in procedure a “mortal blow to democracy” and questioned the consistency of the electoral process. “In one council, you have an open vote. In another, a secret ballot. This inconsistency is not just irregular it violates the fundamental rights of councillors and voters alike.”
He concluded by vowing to take every possible legal and political step to challenge what he termed “an anti-democratic maneuver” by the government to tilt the balance of power unfairly in its favor.
