Career
Imtiyas was an Auto rickshaw driver from an impoverished background who contested local government elections on an independent ticket. At that stage he had no realistic chance of being elected. However, technical electoral issues (proposing an underage candidate in the list) meant that the UNP candidates led by Sirisena Cooray could not contest the election.
An agreement was reached to use the symbol of Imitiyas"s group on the condition that he would renounce the seat if elected, allowing the UNP to appoint a mayor of their own choice.
