Srilanka, June 16 -- Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People's Power (NPP) has been elected as the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council, following a closely contested secret ballot held this morning.

Balthazaar secured 61 votes, narrowly defeating Riza Zarook of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), who received 54 votes.

The newly elected Colombo Municipal Council convened for its inaugural session today, following the Local Government elections conducted on May 6. The election of the Mayor was the first item on the agenda.

Since no single party obtained an outright majority in the election, a secret vote was held to determine the Mayor.

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