The election to appoint a new chairman for the Seethawaka PS (Pradeshiya Sabha) has been delayed once again after opposition members staged a walkout today (15 July) in protest against the use of a secret ballot.

The meeting, chaired by Western Province Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara, was scheduled to finalise the appointment. However, tensions rose when it was announced that the vote would be conducted through a secret ballot — a decision firmly opposed by members of the opposition.

As a result, the session was left without the required quorum, forcing the Commissioner to postpone the election indefinitely.

This is the second time the process of Seethawaka PS chair election has been disrupted. A previous attempt to elect a chairman also failed due to similar objections. While the Commissioner has the legal authority to determine the voting method, the decision to proceed with a secret ballot has repeatedly drawn protests

The Opposition filed a petition at the Appeal Court seeking interim injunction against holding a secret ballot. However, the petition was dismissed by the Appeal Court yesterday (14).