In a stark shift from its previous electoral dominance, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has suffered a notable decline in support during the 2025 Local Government Elections, held two years behind schedule.
Despite winning 266 out of 339 local councils, the NPP has secured an outright majority in only 116, forcing the party into coalition talks in many regions. This result marks a significant weakening of its political grip compared to the 2024 parliamentary elections, where the NPP captured 61.56% of the national vote. In contrast, it managed just 43.26% in the latest polls.
One of the most significant upsets came from the Colombo Municipal Council, where the NPP won only 48 of the 117 seats. With no clear majority, opposition parties—including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) —are now negotiating a possible alliance to form the council’s administration.
The results also indicate a major loss of confidence among minority communities. The opposition swept 30 of the 34 councils in the Northern Province, and the NPP’s vote share in the Highlands and Eastern Provinces saw a steep drop, undermining earlier government claims of widespread national support.
As coalition talks intensify and opposition forces consolidate their influence, the election results are seen as a clear warning signal for the ruling party heading into the next electoral cycle.
