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UNP’s Kesara wins Kandy’s mayoral battle amid UPFA, JVP neutrality
After weeks of horse trading and behind-the-scene haggling, the United National Party’s Kesara Senanayake was elected as the Mayor of the historic city of Kandy on Thursday, with the UPFA and the JVP abstaining from voting.
Mr. Senanayake addressing members
Opposing him in the council election was SLPP’s Sena Dissanayake, who took over as mayor of Kandy after Mayor Mahen Ratwatte resigned in November 2015 to become the Basnayake Nilame of the Maha Vishnu Devalaya.
With the UPFA and the JVP deciding not to support either of the candidates, Mr. Senanayake’s victory was virtually sealed. When Local Government Commissioner Meneke Herath, who acted as presiding officer, called out the names for an open voting, Mr. Senanayke received 20 votes, while Mr. Dissanayake obtained 16.
A former mayor and career diplomat, Mr. Senanayake is the son of onetime Speaker and Minister E.L. Senanayake. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Law and Human Rights.
There was more drama, when it came to the election of deputy mayor. The SLPP members called for a vote by secret ballot but the UNP councillors insisted on open voting. The dispute prompted the presiding officer to hold a vote and a majority of the councillors voted for open voting.
When the vote was taken, the UNP’s Ilahi Abdeen beat SLPP’s Sarath Wijesinghe, with the result being identical to the mayoral election.
Mr. Abdeen is the second Muslim elected to the office of deputy mayor of this century-old council, the first being G.N.S. Hameed.
In a brief address to the members, the mayor said all those who had held the office of mayor in the Kandy Municipal Council were dignified members and had worked tirelessly for the betterment of the city and its people. He said the same spirit must remain.