Leaders of opposition parties, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa, have initiated discussions to form an alliance to take control of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), according to political sources.
The combined number of members elected from opposition parties and independent groups exceeds that of the National People’s Power (NPP), which, although securing the highest number of votes, lacks a majority.
Due to this, the NPP cannot automatically appoint a mayor and must instead secure majority support through a secret ballot during the council’s first sitting.
Efforts are underway by the NPP to win over additional members to bolster its position.
A senior figure close to Wickremesinghe is currently engaged in negotiations with other parties to build a majority coalition and secure the mayoral post.
Meanwhile, internal disagreements have reportedly emerged within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) over its mayoral candidate.
The SJB, having won the second-highest number of seats, is considered a key player in any potential opposition alliance to decide the new mayor.
The outcome of these talks is expected to be decisive in shaping the political leadership of the CMC.
