Colombo is poised to have a new Mayor as Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) municipal councilor Riza Sarook has reportedly secured the majority support needed for the post. Sources indicate that Sarook has already obtained the signed backing of 62 councilors, exceeding the 59 votes required to establish power in the Colombo Municipal Council.
A document containing the signatures of these 62 councilors has reportedly been prepared. However, it is noted that this number does not include the two members from the Janatha Balawegaya (JPB) and United National Party (UNP) councilor Tony Ramzi. The two JPB members have stated their neutrality, while Tony Ramzi had publicly announced his lack of support for Riza Sarook several days prior.
In the recent local government elections, the Janatha Jana Balawegaya secured 48 seats in the Colombo Municipal Council. At the same time, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the United National Party, and other opposition parties and independent groups collectively won 69 seats.
The mayoral election is scheduled for tomorrow (June 16th), and it is mentioned that an agreement has been reached to appoint Kithsiri Rajapakse of the United National Party, who has served the Colombo Municipal Council for the longest period, as the Deputy Mayor.
