Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) has been elected as the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council, following a secret ballot held this morning.

Balthazaar received 61 votes, narrowly defeating Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Riza Zarook, who garnered 54 votes.

The newly elected Council convened for its inaugural session today, after the Local Government elections held on May 6. The election of the Mayor was the first order of business on the agenda.

With no party winning an outright majority in the polls, members were called to vote by secret ballot to determine the new Mayor.