In a significant political development, all six members of the National People’s Power (NPP) representing the Norwood Pradeshiya Sabha have declared their decision to function as independent members. The move comes in protest against the party’s directive to John Francis Allen—who was recently elected Chairman of the council with the backing of five Tamil Progressive Party members—to submit his resignation from the post.
According to the members, this decision was triggered by threats and undue pressure allegedly exerted by a senior NPP leader based in Nuwara Eliya.
Following Allen’s appointment as Chairman, the remaining NPP members stated that Manjula Suraweerarachchi, the NPP’s Nuwara Eliya District Group Leader, expressed strong opposition. He reportedly reminded them that they had no authority to act against party directives. According to the party’s internal agreement, the chairmanship was to be given to the nominee of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), while the vice-chairmanship was to be assigned to an NPP member. Therefore, securing the Chairmanship with support from opposition members was deemed a violation of party discipline.
During the council’s open vote to elect a Chairman—where two nominations were submitted—John Francis Allen of the NPP secured 12 votes, defeating CWC nominee Kanapathi Kulandavel Ravi, who received 7 votes.
