The United National Party (UNP), which has secured 13 councillors in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), has expressed its willingness to support the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in forming the next council administration and appointing a Mayor.
“We are ready to support SJB,” UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena said, adding that discussions regarding this collaboration will be held soon.
The latest breakdown of CMC seats is as follows:
* National People’s Power (NPP) – 48 seats
* Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) – 29 seats
* United National Party (UNP) – 13 seats
* Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) – 5 seats
* Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) – 4 seats
* Independent Group 03 – 3 seats
* Sarvajana Balaya – 2 seats
* Independent Group 04 – 2 seats
* Independent Group 05 – 2 seats
* United Peace Alliance – 2 seats
* National Freedom Front – 1 seat
* National People’s Party – 1 seat
* People’s Alliance – 1 seat
* Democratic National Alliance – 1 seat
* United Republic Front – 1 seat
* Independent Group 01 – 1 seat
* Independent Group 02 – 1 seat
With 117 total seats in the council, the NPP holds the largest single bloc but falls short of the 60-seat majority needed to form an administration independently. The SJB has confirmed its intent to collaborate with other opposition parties to gain control of the CMC.
SJB MP Mujibur Rahman told that the party is working with other opposition factions to form a majority. “We are trying to take control of the council by uniting with the opposition groups. NPP only has 48 seats; they cannot establish power with that alone—they need 59,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala reaffirmed the NPP’s determination to secure control. “We will establish power in the Colombo Municipal Council. We won’t hand over control to anyone else,” Watagala told media, noting that discussions are underway with various councillors to gain the necessary support.
The Colombo Municipal Council is now the center of an intense political battle, with both the NPP and the opposition seeking alliances to form the new administration. (Newswire)
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