Power in several Local Government (LG) bodies where no party held a majority following the 2025 Local Government election was decided today (24), with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) gaining ground in key councils.

In Bentota, SJB’s Premakumara Wijewardena was elected Chairman with 12 votes, narrowly defeating NPP’s Mervin Pradeepa Kodithuwakku who secured 11 votes.

The SJB also won control of the Gampola Urban Council, where Iruka Weeraratne was elected Chairman after receiving 19 votes to the NPP candidate’s 10.

In Kuchchaveli, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) formed a coalition with Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), securing the Chairmanship for I. Mubarak, who defeated ACMC’s Abdul Rizan.

Accordingly, the inaugural meeting of the Bandaragama Pradeshiya Sabha ended in turmoil as a dispute over the method of voting, open or secret ballot led to an indefinite adjournment by Commissioner Sarangika Kalhari Jayasundara.