Vraie Cally Balthazaar Elected Colombo Mayor - Secret Ballot Dispute

 

In a tightly contested vote that has sparked immediate controversy, Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) has been elected as the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), securing 61 votes against 54 received by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Riza Zarook.

The election took place during the inaugural session of the newly formed CMC following the Local Government elections held on May 6. As no party gained an outright majority in the council, the choice of mayor came down to coalition support and a vote among councillors — one that turned contentious over how it was conducted.

A Divided Council, a Secret Vote

With no dominant party in control of the CMC, the council convened with uncertainty about who would emerge as mayor. The session began with the mayoral election as the first item on the agenda. Although there was initial discussion about the voting method, the Commissioner of the Department of Local Government for the Western Province, Sarangika Jayasundara, declared that the ballot would proceed in secret.

This decision became the focal point of post-election accusations from the SJB camp.

Zarook Alleges Procedural Irregularities

Riza Zarook, the defeated SJB candidate, has publicly challenged the fairness of the process, accusing the Commissioner of acting unilaterally. Zarook stated that while the Commissioner initially said the councillors could choose between a secret or open ballot, the method was ultimately imposed without a majority consensus.

“At the very start, the Commissioner announced that the vote could be held either by secret or open ballot, but according to procedure, that method should be determined by a majority decision of the councillors,” Zarook said. He further alleged that the decision to even vote on the voting method was also made by secret ballot, forcing the entire election to proceed without transparency.

He added that there had been internal concerns within the SJB after it became clear that the ruling party favoured a secret ballot — a move his group believes was designed to influence the outcome behind closed doors.

Balthazaar’s Win Signals a Shift

Despite the objections, the vote resulted in a clear victory for Balthazaar, whose election marks a significant win for the NPP in Colombo's local government. She becomes a prominent figure in urban governance at a time of increasing political fluidity and voter realignment.

In brief remarks following her win, Balthazaar expressed gratitude for the support she received and pledged to lead with transparency and inclusivity. She did not address the procedural concerns raised by the opposition.

Looking Ahead

The new Colombo Municipal Council begins its term under a cloud of controversy and political division. With no single party commanding a majority, cooperation across party lines will be essential. However, the manner of the mayoral election may set a combative tone for future council proceedings.

As public interest in local governance continues to grow, the council's ability to function effectively and address urban challenges — from infrastructure to public services — will be closely watched.

The first test of Mayor Balthazaar’s leadership may not be a policy decision but the task of building trust in a fractured chamber.