Opposition member's support and a casting vote pass a local council's 2027 budget in Monaragala

The 2027 budget of the Thanamalwila Pradeshiya Sabha in the Monaragala district, administered by the National People's Power (NPP), has been passed with the support of a female member of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). Voting on the budget ended in a 17-17 tie, and the chairman's casting vote was used to pass it.

Opposition member's support draws attention

The vote by a member representing the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya in favour of the ruling side's budget has drawn considerable attention in political circles. The 34-seat Thanamalwila Pradeshiya Sabha has 16 members from the ruling National People's Power and 18 members from the combined opposition. Heated arguments and commotion between ruling and opposition members marked the budget debate.

At an earlier vote on November 4, the budget had been defeated by a margin of three votes, with 14 members voting in favour and 17 against. On that day, two ruling-side members were absent due to illness and one opposition member was absent for another reason.