The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will pursue legal action against Western Province Commissioner Sarangika Kalhari Jayasundara over the secret ballot held today (16) to elect the Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman said.
Rahuman alleged that a deal had been struck to enable a secret vote instead of a transparent one. “We (the SJB) called for an open vote, but the NPP chose a secret ballot, making a deal with certain groups in order to win. They knew their candidate would lose in a fair, open vote — that’s why they avoided it,” he said.
He further revealed that their lawyers have already been consulted and that a legal challenge will be made against this violation of electoral regulations. “The government may claim a triumph — but we know there’s something sinister at play. Those who struck a deal with the President will soon be exposed. Anura Kumara Dissanayake was supposed to bring a new era — instead, we see a return to backroom dealmaking.”
Rahuman insisted that suspects may include the SJB, the United National Party (UNP), and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) — all of whom may have supported the clandestine vote. “We are not alleging this without suspicion — we have strong grounds to believe the people’s will was manipulated by a deal forged behind closed doors.”
He stressed: “We demanded an open vote, but the Commissioner chose a secret one — this shows their intent to avoid fairness. The NPP is reintroducing deal politics, disregarding the people’s wish for a clean electoral process.”
He further alleged that the Commissioner disregarded all complaints and proceeded with the vote. “We know 60 councillors were meant to vote openly — I believe this was influenced by a deal with the government.”
Ultimately, Rahuman said, it was the NPP that secured its win through a deal, adding: “This is a government on the verge of bankruptcy — it’s acting in a desperate way. The lack of an open vote is a major concern for democratic fairness.”
He concluded by stating: “While losing control of the Colombo Municipal Council is not a desirable outcome, we must pursue proper reconciliation and justice in future.”
