The Governor of the Northern Province, Nagalingam Vethanayahan, has removed two democratically elected local government representatives from office through Extraordinary Gazette notifications issued this week, invoking powers under Sri Lanka's local government legislation.
In Gazette notifications dated 19 June 2026, the Governor dismissed Vavuniya Municipal Council Mayor Sundaralingam Kandeeban and Chavakachcheri Urban Council Vice Chairman Gnanapragasam Kishor from both their executive positions and their memberships of their respective local authorities, with effect from 24 June.
The notification concerning the Vavuniya Municipal Council was issued under Section 277 of the Municipal Councils Ordinance and Section 2 of the Provincial Councils (Consequential Provisions) Act. It states that the Governor considered the findings of an Individual Enquiry Board and subsequently appointed retired District Judge Kandiah Ariyanayagam as Commissioner under Section 277(1A) of the Ordinance to investigate the affairs of the Municipal Council.
Following that inquiry, the Governor declared that he was satisfied Kandeeban was disqualified from continuing to serve as Mayor under paragraphs (a) and (d) of Section 277(1) of the Municipal Councils Ordinance. He was consequently removed from both the office of Mayor and his seat on the Vavuniya Municipal Council.
A separate Gazette notification relating to the Chavakachcheri Urban Council was issued under Section 184 of the Urban Councils Ordinance and the Provincial Councils (Consequential Provisions) Act. It states that the Governor similarly considered material submitted by the Individual Enquiry Board before appointing retired District Judge Kandiah Ariyanayagam to investigate the affairs of the Urban Council under Section 184(1A).
The Governor concluded that Gnanapragasam Kishor was disqualified from continuing as Vice Chairman under paragraph (d) of Section 184(1) of the Urban Councils Ordinance. He was accordingly dismissed from both the office of Vice Chairman and his membership of the Chavakachcheri Urban Council with effect from 24 June.
Neither Gazette notification specifies the factual findings, allegations or conduct that formed the basis of the Governor's determination that the two elected representatives were no longer qualified to hold office.
The dismissals have drawn attention to the extensive powers vested in Sri Lanka's provincial governors, who are appointed by the President rather than elected by provincial voters. The authority of a presidential appointee to remove locally elected representatives has long been criticised by Tamil political parties and civil society organisations, particularly in the North-East, where demands for greater local autonomy have frequently clashed with the centralised structure of the Sri Lankan state.
The Governor's latest actions also come amid growing scrutiny of his office. Earlier this month, the Jaffna Bar Association expressed concern over the transfer of High Court Judge A. G. Alexraja, alleging that the Governor may have sought the intervention of government authorities in the matter. The Governor's Secretariat subsequently rejected those allegations.
