UPFA group leader says violence in the NE affected CMC result

S Rajendran, leader of the Independent Group 3, told BBC Sandeshaya that 20 seats will be offered to the UNP who supported their campaign.

“Our victory was assured because of the UNP support,” he said.

It will pave the way for former Colombo Mayor and a former senior minister, Sirisena Cooray to become the next Mayor, he said.

Some even spread rumours on Saturday morning that I have stepped out of the campaign Sirisena Cooray on certain UNP supporters

Some members of the group have opposed offering their seats to UNP candidates.

Rajendran said those who oppose would not have to resign and they will become councillors instead.

“But every member has signed affidavits to abide with the decisions of the group,” he told bbcsinhala.com.

However, the group has to wait until the elected members are announced, the group leader said.

UNP group leader Sirisena Cooray accused ‘certain members’ of his party of trying to sabotage the election campaign.

We have gained four more seats compared to last time but our vote base hasn’t increased Vasudeva Nanayakkara on CMC result

“Some even spread rumours on Saturday morning that I have stepped out of the campaign,” he told BBC’s Elmo Fernando.

The announcement by the Elections commissioner that only those who contested elections will be allowed to become councillors also discouraged UNP voters to vote, Cooray added.

Independent Group 3, who won 23 seats in CMC, was supported by the UNP as the latter's list of nominations was rejected by the returning officer.

Ruling United Peoples freedom Alliance (UPFA), led by former parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara has only managed to win 14 seats.

every member has signed affidavits to abide with the decisions of the group Independant group leader S Rajendran

Nanayakkara accepted that apathy by UNP supporters helped his campaign but recent escalation of violence in the north and the east affected minority votes.

“We have gained four more seats compared to last time but our vote base hasn’t increased,” Nanayakkara said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s political allies, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Jathika Hela Urumaya have won two and one seats respectively.

Out of 20 local bodies contested, ruling UPFA has won five councils and the UNP has gained power in four councils.