SLB Update: Snapshot of May 2025 LG elections

Compiled by Sunanda Deshapriya.

1. The Sri Lankan Local Government (LG) elections to elect members for Municipal, Urban and Divisional councils held on 6 May 2025 marked a significant political event. They were the first such elections since 2018, and they were delayed multiple times due to economic and political challenges. A total of 75,589 candidates contested, including 49 political parties and 14 independent groups.
2. Voter turnout was approximately 61.88% of registered voters, marking a decline from the 79.46% turnout in the 2024 presidential election and 68.93% in the 2024 parliamentary election. 17,156,338 voters were registered for the local government (LG) elections. Of these, 10,410,810 valid votes were cast. There were 205,277 invalid votes—a significant reduction compared to previous elections. The LG election used a simplified system in which voters selected only one party and not candidates..
3. The LG elections were held under a mixed-member proportional representation (MMPR) system, which is relatively complex. A total of 8,287 members were elected to 339 local councils across the island. An additional 516 members were elected through the overhang provision, bringing the total to 8,803 council members. However, in only 161 of the 339 councils did a single political party or independent group secure more than 50% of the seats.
4. The hybrid electoral system for LG elections is split between Direct Ward (DW) representation (60%) and Proportional Representation (PR) (40%). While the law mandates that not less than 25% of the total number of members elected to each local authority must be women, Section 65AA allows this quota to be bypassed if a party or group fails to meet certain vote or seat thresholds.
5. The National People’s Power (NPP) led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, secured 43.26% of the vote (4,503,930 votes). This represents a significant drop from the 61.56% vote share in the 2024 parliamentary elections. It won 3,927 out of 8,793 available seats across 339 local authorities, and the absolute majority of elected members in 151 local councils. It also secured more seats than the second-place group in 115 councils. Altogether, it won 266 councils.
6. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, garnered 21.69% of the vote (2,258,480 votes), securing 1,767 seats, leading in 13 local councils. The increase in the vote is only an insignificant 2% compared to the November 2025 general election.
7. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), led by its national organiser Namal Rajapaksa, received 9.17% of the vote (954,517 votes), winning 742 seats. This marked a 6% increase from its performance in the November 2025 general election.
8. The United National Party (UNP), led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, obtained 4.69% of the vote, translating to 381 seats. Its vote share declined by 2% compared to the general election.
9. In the 2025 LG Elections of Northern and Eastern Provinces, experienced a significant shift in political dynamics compared to the 2024 parliamentary elections. The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), led by its president, S. Shritharan, and General Secretary, M.A. Sumanthiran, emerged as the dominant political force across many local authorities in the North and East. It secured vote shares ranging from 39.6% to 51.4% in individual councils. Nationally, ITAK received 2.96% of the total vote, winning 377 seats and leading in 37 councils.
10. All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) led by Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, and Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) also secured significant portions of the vote, indicating a resurgence of Tamil nationalist parties.
11. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) secured 116 seats, leading in 05 local councils, while the People’s Alliance has secured 300 seats, and the Sarvajana Balaya has secured 226 seats.
12. Ruling NPP now controls nearly 200 council,s including Municipal Councils (MCs) of Colombo, Kandy and many other district capitals
13. The ruling NPP made alliances with independent members and other political parties in several councils, although they were against such alliances and crossovers. It is alleged that the ruling NPP even solicited the support of elected members who belonged to former Paramilitary leader and politician Piilayan.
14. The major opposition party SJB joined with several smaller parties, including Namal Rajapaksa-led SLPP in capturing power in a number of local councils. SJB supported ITKA in the North and East.
15. ITKA captured Batticaloa and Jaffna MCs among many other councils in the Tamil-dominated North and East. The ruling NPP failed to capture any Tamil-dominated area council.
16. Opposition has complained to relevant authorities, including the Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry, about the conduct of some local government commissioners in the Kurunegala and Anuradhapura districts during voting to elect chairpersons of local councils. In several council elections among elected members to elect the Mayor, local government commissioners decided on a secret ballot, which favoured the ruling NPP.
17. President Dasanayaka and Prime Minister Amarasuriya publicly stated that the government will not allocate financial support to opposition-led local councils. Additionally, a leading minister announced that if the opposition gains control of any local government council, development projects in those areas will instead be carried out through the Mahaweli Development Authority. Further ruling NPP called opposition parties a political bits and pieces.
18. In short, the LG elections reveal that while the ruling NPP has positioned itself as a puritan and democratic political force, it has engaged in election law violations, abandoned transparent mayoral elections, and formed questionable alliances to maintain power. This trend does not support the development of a healthier political culture.

The end.