A SYSTEM JVP/NPP ONCE CHAMPIONED STANDS IN ITS WAY

Sri Lanka's recent local government elections have laid bare a striking paradox. The JVP/NPP, the dominant force in national politics following their landslide victory at the last General election, has now run into unexpected headwinds—created not by their political rivals, but by an electoral system they themselves once strongly endorsed.

- By K.K.S. PERERA

Despite an overwhelming electoral performance across the country—where they secured the highest number of ward-level victories in nearly every district—the JVP/NPP has been unable to convert this grassroots mandate into unchallenged control of local councils. The reason? The very proportional representation system that the party supported during its years in opposition.

Chaos and abductions

The dirty politics of yesteryear is once again raising its ugly head. The inaugural meeting of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, presided over by the Commissioner of Local Government for the Southern Province, had to be postponed after chaos erupted in the council chamber. According to the JVP media unit, two NPP members, who were on their way to attend the meeting to elect the Chairman, were abducted. Tensions escalated further when unruly party supporters stormed the venue, disrupting the proceedings and creating mayhem. Amid the disorder, officials announced that the council meeting would only resume once the two abducted NPP members are located and returned safely.

Had the elections been held under the traditional first-past-the-post system, electoral analysts agree the JVP/NPP would have swept all 340 local bodies with ease. The margin of victory at the ward level was so decisive that, under the old system, every local authority would have been unambiguously won, establishing uniform control under the JVP/NPP. Each ward victory would have translated directly into council dominance, eliminating the need for post-election coalition-building or administrative compromises.

Political intimidation

Instead, the PR system—intended to reflect vote share more equitably—has enabled opposition parties to cling to council seats despite losing all or most wards in many areas. As a result, dozens of councils have ended up "hung," with no single party enjoying a working majority.