Nishantha Perera tipped to be Elpitiya new PS Chairman

By D,G.Sugathapaala and Sumathipala Diyagahage   

 Nishantha Perera, leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) candidates group who contested the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election which held on Saturday, is likely to be picked for the post of chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha.   

NPP sources said that Perera who had been a member of the last Southern Provincial Council as well is likely to be the Chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha since he is the group leader.   
Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election was held on Saturday (26) ended in a peaceful atmosphere. The final result of the election was declared by the Galle District Returning Officer at about 10.15pm on Saturday.   

The NPP polled 17,295, which was the highest received 15 seats and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) received 7924 votes and six seats.   

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) polled 3597 votes and received three seats and the Podujana Eksath Peramuna polled 2612 votes and received two seats.   

The Independent group that polled 2568 votes and received two seats while Podujana Eksath Nidahas Sandhanaya and Jathika Janatha Pakshaya received one seat each.   

District Returning Officer said 36,350 electors had voted and that it was 63 percent of the registered number of electors.   

Steps had been taken to transport officers and ballot boxes in case of emergency due to rain and floods, but fair weather prevailed through out the election.   

The Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha was singled out for election in 2018 from the other 340 local government bodies due to an election petition which was concluded in 2019. The term of the Pradeshiya Sabha elected in 2019 ended last year but it was extended till November this year. However election was called in August this year to be held on Saturday, October 26.