Try GOLD - Free
NPP bags CMC in secret vote; SJB, allies disappointed with bureaucratic action
The Island
|June 17, 2025
National People's Power (NPP) councillor Vraie Cally Balthazaar yesterday (16) won a controversial secret vote to secure the mayoral seat at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).
She received 61 votes while Riza Zarook, fielded by the SJB-led Opposition, obtained 54 votes.
Two votes were rejected. The CMC consists of 117 members and the winner needs to secure at least 59 votes. At the 6 May Local Government elections, the NPP won 48 seats in the CMC while the SJB had to settle for 29.
At the onset of yesterday's proceedings, both the SJB and UNP demanded that an open vote should take place while the NPP asked for a secret vote. However, after noisy haggling over the issue for 30 to 40 minutes suddenly some Opposition members, and the NPP, declared they had reached consensus for a secret vote though some were heard insisting on an open vote.
This story is from the June 17, 2025 edition of The Island.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Island
The Island
Lanka's traditional Kithul tapping added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list
Sri Lanka's traditional practice of Kithul Madeema/Kithul Kapeema, an ancient indigenous technology for extracting sap from the Kithul (Caryota urens), has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
1 min
December 13, 2025
The Island
CHEC South Asia & Southeast Asia completes emergency clearing of A5 Highway
China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd South Asia & Southeast Asia, working in close coordination with the Sri Lanka Army, the Road Development Authority (RDA), local authorities and surrounding communities, has recently completed the emergency clearing of the A5 highway, restoring a vital transportation link that had been severely obstructed by landslides and debris in the aftermath of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’.
1 min
December 13, 2025
The Island
Orugodawatta Warehouse brims with International relief
Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Rtd) Aruna Jayasekara, along with members of the committee responsible for coordinating and distributing foreign humanitarian aid, conducted an inspection yesterday (12) at the Orugodawatta Warehouse Complex.
1 min
December 13, 2025
The Island
SLT MOBITEL honoured at CMA Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2025
SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT Solutions Provider, reaffirmed leadership in corporate accountability and transparency, winning top honours at the CMA Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2025, organised by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA Sri Lanka), held at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, recently.
1 min
December 13, 2025
The Island
DFCC Credit & Debit Cards introduce practical savings and flexible support for year-end spending
DFCC Bank has introduced a range of practical credit and debit card benefits designed to ease financial pressure while still giving families the chance to experience the season's warmth.
1 min
December 13, 2025
The Island
Sajith protests against sneaky backdoor amendment
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday accused the government of pushing an amendment to the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978 in a manner that is \"undemocratic\" and lacking transparency.
1 min
December 13, 2025
The Island
Duffy five-for triggers West Indies slide to give New Zealand first win of WTC cycle
Jacob Duffy, who had to wait until his 31st birthday for a Test debut earlier this year, claimed his second five-wicket haul of the series as West Indies folded tamely on the third day in Wellington.
3 mins
December 13, 2025
The Island
AG throws doors wide open to recruitment of women to all positions in SLR
The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday (12) that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved the recruitment of women for all positions, within the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR).
1 min
December 13, 2025
The Island
Govt. okays postgraduate medical training for Maldivian medical officers and dental surgeons
Sri Lanka is set to ramp up cooperation with the Maldives after the Cabinet cleared two new MoUs covering postgraduate medical training and youth and sports development.
1 min
December 13, 2025
The Island
Big fossil fuel companies are responsible for climate crisis but poor countries like Sri Lanka are battered by it - Greenpeace South Asia
Greenpeace South Asia yesterday sounded a renewed alarm after a rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) confirmed that human-induced climate change significantly intensified the extreme rainfall that battered Sri Lanka during Cyclone Ditwah and fuelled severe flooding across the Malacca Strait.
1 mins
December 13, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size