Sunil Gamage of the National People’s Power (NPP) was elected Mayor of the Galle Municipal Council today (20), with 19 votes in a secret ballot held during the council’s inaugural session.

Despite the NPP holding only 17 seats in the 36-member council, councillors approved a secret ballot with 19 votes in favour, enabling Gamage’s win. Sixteen members from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and United National Party (UNP) staged a walkout in protest, while one vote was rejected.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) councillor Priyantha Sahabandu was elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor. The vote was conducted under the supervision of Southern Province Commissioner of Local Government (LG) Erandi Umanga Mendis.