Colombo, May 8 (Daily News) – The final outcome of the 2025 Local Government (LG) Election held on Tuesday (6) saw the ruling party, National People’s Power (NPP) emerging as the clear winner by securing 4,503,930 votes with a percentage of 43.26 and winning 3,927 seats countrywide.

The NPP secured a majority in 266 Local Government Institutions out of the total of 339 that includes 23 Municipal Councils, 26 Urban Councils and 217 Pradeshiya Sabhas.

Despite a decline in vote share compared to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections held in 2024, the NPP more than doubled the vote count of its main rival, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

The NPP which won 3,927 seats, secured majority control in over 100 Local Government Institutions though it polled over 150 council majorities in total where they can form their administration while in the remaining councils, they will be required to obtain support of other parties to secure a majority. However, the NPP faced notable setbacks in urban centres and the North and East of the country where opposition parties maintained or regained support.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) followed in second place with 2,258,480 votes with a percentage of 21.69 and secured 1,767 seats. The SJB leads in 13 Local Councils including two Urban Councils and 11 Pradeshiya Sabhas. The SJB was able to win only 13 Local Government Institutions even though the party came in second place to NPP with the total number of votes obtained.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) came in third place receiving 954,517 votes with a percentage of 9.17 and securing 742 seats in the LG election, but could not lead any Local Council.

The United National Party (UNP) ended up securing 381 seats by receiving 488,406 votes with a percentage of 4.69 but ended up failing to lead any Local Council as well.

The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) obtained 307,657 votes with a percentage of 2.96 and secured 377 seats.

The ITAK leads in 37 councils, which include 03 Municipal Councils, 01 Urban Council, and 33 Pradeshiya Sabhas. However, the ITAK was able to win the second highest number of Local Government Institutions next to NPP with a total of 37 even though the total votes received were much less than NPP and SJB. The SJB came in third place next to ITAK by winning only 13 Local Government Institutions.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) even though received only 139,858 votes behind People’s Alliance (PA) and Sarvajana Balaya (SB) still ended up securing 116 seats and leading in 05 Local Councils, which include 02 Urban Councils and 03 Pradeshiya Sabhas.

The People’s Alliance which obtained 387,098 votes, secured 300 seats and the Sarvajana Balaya party received 294,681 votes securing 226 seats.

It is also noteworthy that Independent groups have also won several Local Government Institutions in this LG election. The victory of the Thirukovil Pradeshiya Sabha in the Ampara District was secured by Independent Group No. 1 and the number of member positions they were awarded in the Council were 05. The victory of the Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha in the Ampara District was secured by Independent Group No. 04 which obtained 8,500 votes and was awarded 08 members. Independent Group No. 1 won the Haputale Municipal Council in the Badulla District by securing 9,757 votes and obtaining 07 seats.

The NPP was able to win the majority as the largest party of the Colombo Municipal Council, the oldest and largest Local Government authority in the country and the municipal governing body of the largest city and financial center, as a single party this time.

It is noteworthy that the NPP has managed to win 48 seats in the Colombo Municipal Council by securing more than 81,814 votes with a percentage of 36.92. However, despite winning the CMC, the NPP failed to secure outright control of it by falling short of securing the majority needed to elect the Mayor.

The SJB has secured 58,375 votes from the Colombo Municipal Council winning 29 seats, the UNP has secured 26,297 votes winning 13 seats, the SLPP has secured 5 seats, and the SLMC has secured 4 seats. Independent Group No. 3 won 3 seats, Independent Group No. 4 won 2 seats, United Peace Alliance won 2 seats, Sarvajana Balaya won 2 seats, Independent Group No. 4 won 2 seats, People’s Alliance won 1 seat, National Freedom Front won 1 seat, United Republic Front won 1 seat, Independent Group No. 1 won 1 seat, Independent Group No. 2 won 1 seat, Democratic National Alliance won 1 seat and National People’s Party won 1 seat.

With no party securing a majority in the 117-seat Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), opposition groups are expected to form coalitions in an attempt to gain control of the CMC and elect the Mayor rom the Opposition.

With no party holding a clear majority, the next Colombo Municipal Council Mayor will need to be elected through a council vote. The NPP will require the backing of at least 11 additional Council members, while opposition parties are expected to seek coalition arrangements to form a majority and control the council.

Also, the victory of the Kandy Municipal Council by the NPP, one of the main Local Government institutions in the country, is also historic in the 2025 LG election. The NPP won 24 seats out of the total seats and secured 21,566 votes. The SJB won 11 seats by securing 12,906 votes. The UNP won 6 seats by securing 6,254 votes and the Sarvajana Balaya won 2 seats by securing 1,836 votes in the Kandy Municipal Council.

In the regional breakdown, the NPP scored strongly in rural areas especially in the Deep South. The SJB claimed victories in Kandy and parts of the North and East. ITAK brought back resurgence in Tamil majority areas winning 08 local bodies in the North and East. The SLPP maintained a strong showing by securing 742 seats. The UNP won 379 seats while the People’s Alliance (PA) took 300 seats. Also, the Sarvajana Balaya (SB) which is a new entrant won 226 seats with a notable success in several areas in the country.

The NPP has been able to secure victory as a single party in all 13 Local Government institutions in the Colombo District including the Colombo Municipal Council, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council, Kaduwela Municipal Council and Moratuwa Municipal Council.

The NPP won all the Local Government institutions in the Gampaha district which has 19 administrative institutions with absolute majority to form their administration bodies receiving 599,906 votes (54.48%). Polonnaruwa was another district where NPP scored a large number of votes receiving 115,296 votes with a percentage of 53.84 securing control of the Local Government institutions in the district.

Comparison of the final results of the 2025 LG polls with the Presidential and Parliamentary elections held in 2024 depicted that the NPP secured 4,503,930 votes (43.26%) in the 2025 LG election which saw a sharp drop compared to the 6,863,186 votes (61.56%) votes polled at the 2024 Parliamentary election and 5,634,915 votes (42.31%) polled at the 2024 Presidential election.

NPP rejects coalitions with traditional parties – Tilvin

By Ishara Mudugamuwa and Deneth Sankalana

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake at yesterday’s press conference. Picture by Wasitha Patabendige

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake at yesterday’s press conference. Picture by Wasitha Patabendige

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva yesterday said that the results of the Local Government Election has clearly shown that the people believe Local Government power should go to the National People’s Power (NPP).

He stressed that the NPP does not have any intention whatsoever of forming a coalition with traditional political parties which have been rejected by the people to secure the control of Local Government bodies.

However, he said that the NPP will consider joining forces with the Independent candidates, if they are willing to cooperate.

Addressing a press conference at the JVP Headquarters in Battaramulla yesterday, Silva added that the NPP will always act in line with the mandate given to them.

He further said that while different people interpret the election results in different ways often to suit their own narratives, it’s important to understand that voter behaviour changes depending on the type of election. “Some compare these results with Parliamentary election outcomes, but voters respond differently to Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections. Each has its own dynamic.”

Despite this, he said it’s undeniable that the NPP has earned the trust of the majority and secured the highest number of seats in this election.

“Democracy is not served when parties rejected by the people come together to form alliances just to hold on to power. It’s clear that the NPP is the true victor in this election.”

He emphasised that this victory is only the beginning. Starting with the Local Councils the NPP has won, the party will begin implementing the projects it has long planned, projects aimed at reshaping Sri Lanka’s political culture from the grassroots up.

“We’ve already begun a journey to bring real, lasting change to our country. We’ve built a movement rooted in integrity free from corruption and fraud. Our commitment is to form clean, transparent, and accountable Local Governing bodies, ones that don’t rely on shady deals or political revenge.”

He explained that the NPP’s goal is to create Local Government institutions that genuinely serve the people without misusing or wasting public funds.

END