Celebration; spots of light in the world's gloom and doom

Vraie Cally Balthazaar is the newly elected Mayor of Colombo.

- 

On June 16, almost a fortnight after MC elections were held, she was voted in by secret ballot as Mayor, winning 61 votes against the main opposition candidate Riza Zarook from the coalition of a mixed bag of Parties, who got 54 votes. Cass would add to the epithet 'mixed' - unholy and most unlikely of parties including the SJB, UNP and even the SLPP, banding themselves together to defeat the NPP. And once they were defeated, bringing in all sorts of allegations, against of all things - the secret ballot method of voting decided on.

Sajith Premadasa who voiced the combined opposition's protest is fast losing his clout and the little popularity he has, even in his party, as voiced by others.

Cassandra has seen her in many photographs and video clips and found her to be charming, lovely, and beneath those good looks, solid and committed. She emerged as a people's champion and leader, hence Cass' total approval of her. Cass is certain she will be a good Mayor concerned about the people of Colombo.

Born in 1985, educated at Methodist College, Colombo, and holding a degree in fashion design and postgraduate diploma in Gender and Women's Studies, Vraie is higher educated, and promises to be totally competent to be Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council. She has experience in media and was an activist for the good of the country and people's rights. She was a TV presenter and active in civil society and research; also worked with NGOs on women's and children's issues. Most significantly, a write-up about her states that she researched urban development and city planning with special relevance to low income communities in Colombo. "Her activism extended to gender equality and labour rights, aligning with her academic focus combined with media presence and grassroots work, helped shape her public identity as a feminist and community advocate."