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from P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

The verbal duel of the two Mayors of Nuwara Eliya, the former and the present goes on without an end. Such episodes were even witnessed at the recent monthly meeting presided over by Mayor Chandana Karunaratne, the irony of it, the two mayors belong to the same political party the United National Party.

Mayor Chandana Karunaratne who was armed with Police complaints of an alleged incident between the former Mayor Bandula Seneviratne, and a woman worker of the council on 6th January, 03. At the outset, Mayor Karunaratne said he and the council were so sorry, though the incident had taken place outside the council, yet he had taken appropriate action on the matter. Bandula Seneviratne: I am certain that the incident was engineered by you.

Mayor: I have not stooped down to such levels, and I will rather deal with anyone face to face without hitting one below the belt.

Bandula Seneviratne: If you prove any of the fraud charges during my tenure of office, I will walk out of this council, even without my clothes. Mayor: We have ample records, where you have removed your clothes and walked!

The only Independent member of the council and a former UNP Mayor herself, Nalin Thilaka Herath, intervened and said while she was a member of the opposition, the former Mayor had allegedly set up a man to hoot at her, while she was leaving the Council meeting. She alleged that she walked back to the chambers, and reported the matter and no action was taken. She said that every action has a reaction, and the present one might have been a retribution.

When the members began to discuss issues which were before the Courts, Nalin Thilaka Herath, mentioned that it would be subjudice, any discussions on pending matters being perused.

H.M. Abeysinghe (PA) being elected chairman of the Health Committee, he thanked the members for such a good gesture and assured that he would do his best. However, Mayor Chandana Karunaratne said his and the council's prime aim and concern was to develop the city in the interest of the ratepayers and which will proceed undeterred.

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