In the Local Government elections held in Sri Lanka the majority of the local councils were won by the ruling United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa the President, the government and also all the Provincial Councils in the country are from the UPFA. Elections were held on 30th March 2006 to elect members for 266 local councils. The main contestants were the UPNF, United National Party (UNP), Peoples’ Liberation Front (PLF) and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU). Matara Municipal Council that was under the United National Party (UNP) for the last four-year term was also won by UPFA. According to the results UPFA obtained 9 seats, UNP got 4 seats and the PLF got 2 seats for the 15-member council. In comparison to the last council (elections held in 2002) while UNP lost five seats the UPFA was able to increase the seats by 4 and PLF was able to increase the number by one. Generally it’s the member who obtains the highest preferential vote becomes the Mayor. Accordingly Mr. Upul Nishantha who scored the highest preferential votes should become the Mayor. Mr. Mohamed Nabavi scored the highest preferential votes in the UNP. The following were elected as members of the Matara Municipal Council for the next four-year term.
Members from United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance. (UPFA)
1. Mr. S.M.V.Upul Nishantha.
2. Mr. D.G.Yasarathna.
3. Mr. I.H.Sirisena.
4. Mr. P.W.Jayasekara.
5. Mr. C.J.Karunarathna.
6. Mr. A.Nalin Kumara.
7. Mr. I.U.K.Manamperi.
8. Mr. K.Y.H.Ruwan Chinthaka.
9. Mr. L.K.Jayasekara.
Members from United National Party. (UNP)
1. Mr. M.N.M.Nabavi.
2. Mr. J.K.Nallaperuma.
3. Mr. Nandasena Sellahewa.
4. Mr. A.K.Manamperi.
Members from Peoples’ Liberation Front. Or JVP.
1. Mr. S.P.Jayantha Kumarasiri.
2. Mr. A.W.Jayasekara.
