Sri Lanka, Feb. 2 -- Chinthaka Hewapathirana, representing the National People's Power (NPP), has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha after a closely contested vote held on 2 February 2026.

Hewapathirana won the position with 22 votes in favor, against 21 votes cast for other candidates, giving the NPP a slim one-vote majority in the local council.

The position had remained unfilled following the tragic assassination of former Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot inside his office on 22 October 2025.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Daily News Sri Lanka....