Muthulangam Gokulraj elected Deputy Chairman of Chavakachcheri Urban Council through draw of lots
30-Jul-2026.
Muthulangam Gokulraj has been elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Chavakachcheri Urban Council through a draw of lots.
The election for the post of Deputy Chairman was held on July 28, during which Gokulraj was selected.
The previous Deputy Chairman of the Chavakachcheri Urban Council, G. Kishore, lost his position as well as his membership of the council following a recommendation made by an individual inquiry officer appointed by the Northern Province Governor.
The action was taken over allegations that Kishore had criticised and thrown away a circular issued by the Local Government Commissioner during a council meeting.
Following the Governor’s gazette notification on June 24 cancelling his membership, a council meeting was convened yesterday to select a new Deputy Chairman.
Two candidates contested the election, one representing the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and the other representing the Democratic Tamil National Alliance.
The candidate from the ITAK received votes from six ITAK members and one member of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP).
The candidate from the Democratic Tamil National Alliance received votes from six members of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress and one member of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance.
The two National People’s Power members abstained from voting.
The Chavakachcheri Urban Council consists of 18 members. At present, the council has 16 members due to the cancellation of Kishore’s membership and the absence of one NPP member who is overseas.
The current composition includes six members from the ITAK, six from the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, one member from the Democratic Tamil National Alliance, two NPP members, and one EPDP member.
All 16 current members attended yesterday’s meeting to elect the Deputy Chairman.
Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that the Jaffna sitting of the Northern Province High Court had rejected a request made by a lawyer appearing on behalf of former Deputy Chairman Kishore seeking an interim order preventing the Deputy Chairman election from being held.
