Mayor’s Moves Make Waves

Colombo’s Leading Lady Steals Spotlight with Japanese Dance Twist

Who knew diplomacy could have this much rhythm?

It wasn’t just the speeches or the sakura-inspired backdrops that had people buzzing at the recent celebration marking 73 years of Sri Lanka-Japan friendship — it was Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar’s unexpected star turn on the dance floor that sent social media into a spin (quite literally).

At a formal event held at the National Youth Council, Mayor Balthazaar surprised everyone by joining in a traditional Japanese dance performance. Dressed for the occasion and moving to the beat, the mayor traded political posturing for precise footwork — and the internet hasn’t stopped talking since.

Clips of the mayor’s graceful(ish) moves have been dancing their way across social platforms, with reactions ranging from applause to amused curiosity. “Madame Mayor’s got the moves!” one commenter quipped, while another asked, “Is this the start of a political dance-off era?”

Curiously, the mayor’s own Facebook post about the event omitted any mention of the viral video. Instead, she kept things strictly diplomatic, praising her meeting with Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata and First Secretary Shinichi Murata, and expressing enthusiasm for future Colombo-Japan collaborations.

“Japan continues to be a strong supporter of national initiatives in Sri Lanka,” she wrote — but fans are wondering if next time, she’ll say a word or two about her viral waltz into soft power stardom.

One thing’s for sure: in the world of politics, it’s not just about the right steps forward — sometimes, it’s about dancing them too.