Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar stated that those who voted against the municipal budget did not merely defeat the National People’s Power proposal but rather defeated the budget of their own conscience. The Mayor made these remarks while addressing the council yesterday, 22.12.2025, following the conclusion of the vote on the Colombo Municipal Council annual budget.

The maiden budget presented by the National People’s Power administration was defeated by a slim margin of three votes, with 57 votes in favour and 60 votes against. Despite the National People’s Power holding only 48 seats in the council compared to the 69 seats distributed among opposition parties, Vraîe Cally Balthazaar had previously secured the Mayoralty in a secret ballot with 61 votes, while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya candidate received only 56 votes.

During her address, the Mayor emphasised that while she is prepared to engage professionally with all councillors regardless of their party affiliation, the public must question what has been done to uphold the dignity of the citizens of Colombo. Vraîe Cally Balthazaar remarked that it is common for bad people to do bad things, but it is far more dangerous when good people agree to something wrong.

She further noted that while the National People’s Power administration had attempted to work harmoniously and with affection toward all members of the council, the expected cooperation for the city’s progress had not materialised.