By Roy Denish.
Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan removes two elected local officials after inquiries into alleged council irregularities.
In an unprecedented move, the Northern Province Governor removed two elected local officials from office, intensifying debate over executive power.
Nagalingam Vethanayahan removed Sundaralingam Kandeeban from the post of Vavuniya Municipal Council Mayor. He also removed Gnanapragasam Kishor as Vice Chairman of the Chavakachcheri Urban Council. In addition, both men lost their council memberships through extraordinary gazette notifications. The notices took effect on June 24, 2026.
The action followed formal administrative inquiries into alleged irregularities within both local authorities. Authorities named retired District Judge Kandiah Ariyanayagam as special Commissioner. His inquiry examined governance, administration, and executive decisions in the two municipal bodies.
Northern Province Governor Cites Inquiry Findings
After the inquiry board submitted its findings, the Northern Province Governor exercised statutory powers. He then declared both elected representatives disqualified from continuing in office. Therefore, the matter moved from inquiry to direct removal.
For the Vavuniya mayor, the Governor relied on the Municipal Councils Ordinance Number 29 of 1947. Meanwhile, for the Chavakachcheri vice chairman, he relied on the Urban Councils Ordinance Number 61 of 1939. Both actions also cited the Provincial Councils Consequential Provisions Act Number 12 of 1989.
However, the gazette notices did not list the specific factual findings from the judicial inquiry. They also did not identify the alleged acts of misconduct. Instead, the notices said the executive had grounds to disqualify the two officials.
As a result, the removals have reopened questions about centralized gubernatorial authority in the North. The debate now turns to a sensitive balance of power. On one side stands a president-appointed provincial governor. On the other stand elected local representatives.
Because the regional public does not elect governors, their authority to unseat local leaders remains sensitive. For civil society groups and local political organizations, these removals now test accountability, transparency, and democratic control.
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