• SJB sacks 6 Dambulla PS members from Party

The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) yesterday (16) succeeded in establishing power in another Municipal Council (MC) and two more Pradeshiya Sabhas (PSs).

The Ratnapura MC has come under the control of the NPP. During the secret vote held to elect the Mayor of the Ratnapura MC, NPP Councillor K.A.D.R.I. Katugampala was elected after securing 14 votes. The Opposition candidate received only 12 votes.

Meanwhile, the NPP gained control of the Dambulla and Kalpitiya PSs as well. NPP Councillor W.M. Tilakarathna was elected as the Chairperson of the Dambulla PS. He secured 15 votes in the secret ballot held yesterday. Two Opposition candidates also contested for the post of the Chairperson. The People’s Alliance candidate received six votes while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate obtained five votes. In addition, Abdul Sattar Mohamed Rikkas of the NPP was elected as the Chairperson of the Kalpitiya PS. He secured 16 votes in the secret ballot held yesterday, while Mohamed Asik, the candidate from the SJB, managed to get only 15 votes.

Meanwhile, the SJB has suspended the Party membership of six members of the Dambulla PS with immediate effect. A statement issued by the SJB, signed by the Party’s General Secretary and Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara, confirmed the suspensions. The decision was taken due to the failure of the members to comply with the directives issued by the SJB Management Committee and the Party Working Committee regarding the election of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Dambulla PS. Accordingly, the following members have been suspended: Herath Mudiyanselage Susil Herath, Adhikarinayake Mudiyanselage Penalabode Gedara Anil Indrajith Dassanayake, Karadagolla Walawwe Dhananjaya Sampath Karadagolla, Aluth Gedara Priyaranjana Kumara Ratnayake, Herath Mudiyanselage Kusuma Kumari and Krishanthi Dilrukshi Premaratne.