Sri Lanka, June 16 -- The Colombo Municipal Council held a secret ballot to elect its new Mayor, following a unanimous decision to proceed with the confidential voting method.

The inaugural council session was held this morning (16), chaired by Western Province Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara.

Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People's Power was nominated by Councillor Hemantha Kumara and seconded by Prasanna Liyanarachchi.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya put forward Riza Zaruk, whose nomination came from Councillor Roy Nishantha and was seconded by Susantha Liyanapathirana.

Tensions rose during the session over the voting method, with the NPP calling for a secret ballot while the SJB-led opposition pushed for an o...