website hit counter
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Thursday, July 3, 2025

HomeNewsSeethawaka Opposition Councillors Seek Court Order to Halt Secret Vote

Seethawaka Opposition Councillors Seek Court Order to Halt Secret Vote

Seethawaka Opposition Councillors Seek Court Order to Halt Secret Vote

spot_img

A group of opposition-aligned members of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, seeking an interim order to prevent the holding of a secret ballot to elect the new Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the council.

The petitioners claim they hold the majority in the council and argue that the move to conduct a secret ballot undermines this position.

The controversy stems from the inaugural council meeting held on 17 June, during which Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara announced that the vote to appoint a new Chairman would be held by secret ballot. Objecting to this decision, 24 councillors walked out of the chamber, leading to the lack of a quorum, the petitioners stated.

At the session, proposals were made by both sides—one calling for an open vote and the other for a secret ballot. Since there was no consensus and two opposing motions were tabled, the Commissioner exercised her authority and decided to proceed with a secret vote.

Due to the walkout and resulting lack of quorum, the Commissioner postponed the council meeting by 30 minutes. However, as the situation remained unresolved, the session was ultimately postponed indefinitely.

As a result, no Chairman or Deputy Chairman has been elected to the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, and the appointments have now been delayed without a scheduled date.

The petitioners are seeking judicial intervention to prevent the use of a secret ballot in the selection process, arguing that such a move could alter the democratic will of the majority within the council.

Latest articles

Grandma’s Money: Yoshitha and ‘Daisy Achchi’ Served Indictments for Another Case

Indictments have been served before the Colombo High Court against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his...

VFS Visa Controversy: Did Ilukpitiya Throw Viyani Gunathilaka Under the Bus?

Immigration and Emigration Controller Harsha Ilukpitiya yesterday, 1 July, unconditionally admitted before the Supreme...

More Testimonies Heard: What Happened on the Final Day of Inquiry Committee on Deshabandu

Testimonies before the Parliamentary Committee probing allegations against suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP)...

Sri Lankan man dies of suspected drug overdose at Romanian nightclub

A 29-year-old Sri Lankan national has died under suspicious circumstances at a nightclub in...

More like this

Grandma’s Money: Yoshitha and ‘Daisy Achchi’ Served Indictments for Another Case

Indictments have been served before the Colombo High Court against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his...

VFS Visa Controversy: Did Ilukpitiya Throw Viyani Gunathilaka Under the Bus?

Immigration and Emigration Controller Harsha Ilukpitiya yesterday, 1 July, unconditionally admitted before the Supreme...

More Testimonies Heard: What Happened on the Final Day of Inquiry Committee on Deshabandu

Testimonies before the Parliamentary Committee probing allegations against suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP)...