The National People’s Power (NPP) has secured the chairmanship of the Medawachchiya Pradeshiya Sabha, while the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has been appointed to the position of vice-chairman.
This development follows the recent local government elections where the NPP emerged victorious in the Medawachchiya Pradeshiya Sabha but failed to secure a majority of seats.
In the election, the NPP won 10 seats, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) secured 6 seats, the Podujana Eksath Peramuna and Sarvajana Bala Pakshaya obtained 2 seats each, and the United National Party (UNP) secured 1 seat.
With no single party holding a clear majority, the support of a single decisive member was crucial for forming the Sabha’s administration. Ultimately, the chairman was elected through a secret ballot.
The inaugural session of the Pradeshiya Sabha presided over by Provincial Councils Commissioner Ruwan Wijesinghe, witnessed a tense atmosphere. In the subsequent vote, Dhanapala Wimalathunga of the NPP was elected as the chairman. Ranga Somadasa, representing the SLPP, was appointed as the vice-chairman.
This outcome highlights a trend observed in several local government bodies where no party secured an outright majority in the recent elections. The independent stance of Sarvajana Bala Pakshaya members in councils such as Panduwasnuwara, Minipe, Medawachchiya, Madagama, and Kobeigane has provided an opportunity for the JVP to gain chairmanship positions.
However, this turn of events has drawn criticism and concern from other opposition parties within these local councils.
