• Power struggle remains over Col. MC and several UCs

The names of newly appointed Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons, and Vice Chairpersons of several Local Government (LG) bodies have been officially published in a Gazette Extraordinary, following the conclusion of the LG Elections.

These appointments have been made based on the recommendations sent to the Election Commission (EC) by political parties and independent groups that secured a clear majority in the respective LG bodies.

The EC has only gazetted the names of those appointed in LG bodies where a single party or group secured more than 50% of the seats. In bodies where no party has achieved such a majority, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the positions of Mayor or Chairperson will be decided when they meet for their official sittings.

According to a previous gazette issued by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government on 17 February 2025, the new term of office for all LG bodies is set to begin today (2). The names of the elected and nominated members to each LG body have also been gazetted, based on administrative districts.

In the Colombo District, Don Parakum Shantha has been appointed as Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council (MC). Vindana Edirisuriya will serve as the Deputy Mayor. Yudishtira Arosha has been named the new Mayor of the Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte MC. Krishanthi Wijebandara will take office as the Deputy Mayor. Trade union leader Ranjan Jayalal has been appointed Mayor of the Kaduwela MC. Sreenith Jayagoda Arachchi will be the Deputy Mayor. Nishantha Ferdinando has been named Mayor of the Moratuwa MC. Prabhashani Wickramasinghe has been appointed Deputy Mayor. Saman Samarakoon will serve as Chairperson of the Maharagama Urban Council (UC). Madduma Kaluge Chamara has been appointed Chairperson of the Kesbewa UC. Pradeep Nishantha will take over as Chairperson of the Boralesgamuwa UC.

In the Gampaha District, Robert Heenkenda has been appointed Mayor of the Negombo MC. Eric Lakshman Ediriwickrama has been named Mayor of the Gampaha MC. Supun Sarada Silva has been appointed Chairperson of the Katunayake–Seeduwa UC. Asela Wickramarachchi will serve as Chairperson of the Minuwangoda UC. Shammi Roshan Nonis has been named Chairperson of the Ja-Ela UC.

In the Kalutara District, Hemakumara Perera has been appointed Chairperson of the Panadura UC. Priyanka Nirmala de Silva will serve as Chairperson of the Horana UC.

In the Kandy District, Chandrasiri Wijayanayaka has been named Mayor of the Kandy MC. Daglas Samaraweera Uyangoda has been appointed Chairperson of the Wattegama UC.

In the Anuradhapura District, Nawarathna Raja Karunarathna has been named Mayor of the Anuradhapura MC.

In the Polonnaruwa District, Lalith Thissa Kumara has been appointed Mayor of the Polonnaruwa MC.

In the Kegalle District, Nimal Karunarathna has been named Mayor of the Kegalle MC.