Today on Buzz with Danu, I sit down with the Mayoral Candidate for the NPP for Colombo City Vraie Cally Balthazaar — a fresh yet fearless voice in politics. She’s stepping into a system that many say is broken. Can she be the change Colombo needs, or will the system change her? Let’s find out.

I'm diving into her journey, her vision for change, and her take on where Sri Lanka is heading. Let’s get buzzing. 

1.    Vraie, stepping into politics is never just a career move — it’s often a calling. What was the defining moment that made you realize public service was your path?
I think the 2018 constitutional crisis was the moment in which I realized I needed to engage in politics. Everything that happened beyond that, was an organic extension. 
There have been many moments along the way — and they’ve all been one step closer towards making politics, my life. 

2.    You’ve built a name beyond politics—as a voice for social justice and community empowerment. How have these experiences shaped the politician you aspire to be?

Since I was very young, I’ve always volunteered my time, and wanted to “do my part”. But it wasn’t till my mid thirties that I realized that the solution to many of the problems and issues I was trying to also address, needed sustainable political answers. And so very organically, I made this shift into the political space. 

3.    Colombo is a city of contrasts — heritage and modernity, privilege and poverty. If elected Mayor, how do you plan to bridge these divides and create a city that serves all its citizens?
Everyone deserves to live with dignity. Irrespective of their social status and economic abilities. 
For us, these means providing with everyone in the city with services that will help bridge this divide. 

4.    Many see local government as limited in power. How do you intend to leverage the role of Mayor to drive real, lasting change in Colombo’s cpolitical and social landscape?
The CMC is a very important place given that Colombo city is the country’s economic hub. It’s where the most amount of social  and economic activities take place. 

And with a budget of 30 billion, it’s the largest local council in the country. My role, and that of my team, is to find  ways of creating a more sustainable and efficient system — one that gives back to all in the city. 

5.    Urban development in Colombo has often been criticized for sidelining marginalized communities. What’s your vision for inclusive development, and how will you ensure no voice is left unheard?
There are over 1400 wattes, or low income settlements in the city. As a researcher, this was my focus area of study. I am well aware of how decisions have been made on developing the city. Changes in the city often happened without consultation. As a result we now have many people having been pushed into the peripheries of the city  — and despite being given housing, there has been no consideration for work, schooling, access to other services, which inevitably means that these folk are unable to lead good and healthy lives.

I think it’s imperative that we integrate all the elements of social and economic activity, within these building structures if we want dignity for everyone when building our cities. It’s also vital that we build systems to support the youth and women in low income settlements — vocational training centers, day care centers, affordable child care centres etc.. to have all this in place will help break the cycles of social reproduction. 

6.    Corruption and inefficiency plague local governance across Sri Lanka. What concrete measures will you implement to ensure transparency, accountability, and public trust in your administration?
We see a shift in the political landscape right from the top. That’s something we wish to make happen in the CMC. 

Whilst administrative systems require changes , we also believe that digitizing certain processes will ensure efficiency and ease. 

7.    Public spaces in Colombo are shrinking, and with it, the sense of community. How important is reclaiming and revitalizing these spaces in your urban agenda?
Public spaces are a right of the people of the city. However given the high Commercial value of the land in the city, public spaces have become more and more scarce. 

Sadly what this means is less space for communities to thrive. We need our green spaces, our community libraries, community halls, our play areas, community gardens, playgrounds etc. 
socialization and a caring community can only take place is there’s actually physical space for people to converge, to meet, to sit together… to speak to each other. Communities are very much built and encouraged by the design of public spaces. 

The CMC has the ability build, renovate and reimagine the city’s landscape and this is something we as the NPP will look into very seriously.

8.    Youth disengagement in politics is a growing concern. How do you plan to inspire a new generation of Colombo’s youth to not only believe in governance but to actively participate in shaping it?
The youth in the city have been disillusioned by politics and politicians. I think building trust is a vital step. We need to have the youth more involved in activities in the city. Our intention is to engage with the youth through sports, art, technology etc to build a youth that is strong and vibrant. Political engagement and leadership will follow if we have the right foundation in place. 

9.    Environmental sustainability often takes a backseat in city planning. How will your leadership address Colombo’s escalating challenges around waste management, green spaces, and climate resilience?
Waste is a critical matter for the city and one that we’ve been grappling with for years. We also understand that we need to work in tandem with other LG entities in order to help resolve our issues.  The CMC will work closely with the Waste Management Authority to help ease the weight of waste through the new RDF project (a waste to energy project) for which budgets have already been allocated for. 

We also desperately need to look at combatting urban heating — for which expanding our green space coverage is critical. 

10.    Colombo is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and identities. In a time of polarization, how will you champion unity, diversity, and social harmony through your policies and leadership?
We see a president and a prime minister take the message of unity throughout the county. The CMC, will require the same leadership. Our candidates are representative of the diversity of the city. And we are truly committed to encouraging and growing this sense of togetherness.

11.    If you win, what would be your first 100-day priority plan? What immediate changes can citizens expect to see under Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar?
A change in political culture within the CMC is something you will see in the first few months. This will then help us take the first steps in making administrative changes, and support us in formulating our first budget which will focus on priority areas in the city. 

12.    You’ve often spoken about systemic change. How do you balance the urgency of addressing everyday civic issues with the broader goal of transforming how governance itself operates?
The micro and the macro needs of the city will needs to take place in tandem. But we know it requires fresh eyes, new thinking and above all, the political will to make change.  We see that happening in national government. It is entirely possible for us to manage the same with the CMC with the right team and right support in place. 

13.    Six months into the NPP government’s tenure, how do you assess their performance? Have they lived up to the promise of change, or do you believe Colombo needs a different kind of leadership at the local level?
The NPP continues to deliver the things that we promised to. We’ve also changed the political culture completely and are focused on much need policy. We know this is the same that we need for the municipality too. 

14.    Collaboration between local and national government is crucial, but often strained. How do you envision working with the current NPP administration to ensure Colombo’s interests are prioritized without compromising your principles?

This is where the NPP really has its strengths — we are a team and are well aware that all the cogs in the wheel must turn in order to be able to work towards our larger vision for the country. There is no divide between the national government and the CMC when we come into power. It makes for an easy flow of policy and plan. 

15.    Finally, politics in Sri Lanka has long been dominated by dynasties and traditional power structures. As a woman and progressive leader, what legacy do you hope to leave—not just for Colombo, but for the future of Sri Lankan politics?
My aspiration, as it is of the government, is to make tangible change that is citizen centric. I hope in the years to come, our work in the city, will reflect this.