The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) successfully secured control of the Beruwala Pradeshiya Sabha today (20), a local council where the opposition holds a majority based on the recent local government election results.
Faizer Naseer, the SJB candidate, was elected as the new Chairman of the Beruwala Pradeshiya Sabha. Notably, this opposition victory occurred while Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa was present in the council.
In related developments, the SJB also secured power in the Galle Rajgama Pradeshiya Sabha today, with Dulaj Tharanga elected as its new chairman. Similarly, in the Matale Laggala Pallehama Pradeshiya Sabha, the SJB gained control, and Bandula Padmasiri was elected as the new chairman.
Meanwhile, Priyantha Godagama Sahabandu, who was appointed as the Deputy Mayor of the Galle Municipal Council in alliance with the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB), has had his party membership suspended. This decision was announced in a statement signed by Attorney-at-Law Sagar Kariyawasam, the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
The statement indicates that disciplinary action will be taken against Mr. Godagama. The SLPP had previously informed him on how to act during the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Galle Municipal Council. However, the statement asserts that Mr. Godagama acted contrary to party instructions during the vote, which resulted in his election as Deputy Mayor.
Consequently, his SLPP party membership has been suspended with immediate effect, and he has lost all rights to positions and responsibilities within the party.
