A political standoff is brewing as the Opposition parties, led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, have stepped up efforts to form Local Council administrations in areas where the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) failed to secure majorities in the recent Local Government (LG) elections.
Former Speaker and ex-SLPP MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is said to be involved in a series of reported meetings, which Government sources have described as an undemocratic attempt to wrest control of local authorities from the NPP through political alliances. In response, the NPP has condemned what it called a blatant effort to bypass the democratic process and override the public mandate delivered at the polls. Senior party figures warned against what they described as a “hijacking of the public mandate,” particularly in Local Councils where the NPP won outright.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, reacting strongly to the developments, said that the NPP will proceed to form administrations in the 152 Councils where it has secured control, with the remaining 115 to follow in due course.
The President said in Colombo recently that any attempts to obstruct this process would be met with legal consequences.
“If anyone challenges us against the will of the people, we will respond through the Constitution and the rule of law,” he said.
Referring to the Opposition’s manoeuvering, the President said, “How can a collection of scraps challenge the mandate?” He also said that legislative amendments could be introduced if necessary, citing the NPP’s two-thirds Parliamentary majority.
Meanwhile, SJB leaders have begun discussions with a range of political parties to form joint administrations in Councils where the NPP holds less than 50 percent of the vote. Several party leaders met Premadasa in Colombo yesterday and the day before, with further talks expected to include party secretaries.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a rival to the SJB, is also expected to join the discussions. SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa had told the media yesterday that his party would nominate representatives to participate in the negotiations.
A senior Opposition member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, commented on the shifting dynamics of council formation: “This is where money speaks in the system of forming political power in LG bodies. It works well when a party is in Opposition and can build coalitions — but it is a problem when you’re in Government.”
Political sources said the SJB is aiming to build a broad alliance to take control of 186 Councils, where the NPP fell short of an outright majority, altering the balance of power at the grassroots level despite the NPP’s overall electoral success.
