The Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha’s (PS) 2027 budget was unanimously approved by all 22 members present at a special meeting held yesterday (13).

The budget was presented at the special general meeting chaired by Velu Yogaraj of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), which jointly governs the PS with the National People’s Power (NPP).

Members representing both the ruling and Opposition parties voted in favour of the budget. All five Samagi Jana Balawegaya members also supported it, along with members representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the United National Party and other groups.

Of the seven NPP members, six voted in favour, while Ranjan Ajith Kumaranayake was absent. Balakrishnan Padmasiri of the People’s Struggle Alliance also did not attend the meeting.

Following the approval, Yogaraj said proposals worth approximately Rs. 340 million had been prepared for implementation in 2027. He said PS members and officials would work together to carry out progressive development projects for public benefit, as they had done during 2026.

However, proceedings became contentious after the budget was passed, when members discussed allegations that a plantation manager in the Nuwara Eliya area had used a derogatory term to refer to Tamil people.

Several members reportedly condemned the alleged remark as insulting to the Tamil community. The issue triggered a heated exchange between ruling and Opposition members, creating a tense atmosphere in the PS chamber.