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| Monday, 20 September 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| Acting Mayor cannot act arbitrarily - CMC Commissioner by Ranil Wijayapala Colombo Municipal Council Commissioner Dr. Jayantha Liyanage yesterday said he would not allow Acting Mayor Asath Salley to act according to his whims to demolish the unauthorised structures in the city declaring the steps he had taken so far were totally illegal. Speaking to the Daily News last night Dr. Jayantha Liyanage said the Acting Mayor cannot act arbitrarily to demolish any unauthorised structures in the city in the absence of the Mayor and without any approval from him. "The occupants should be served two weeks notice and should be provided with an alternative place prior to demolishing any unauthorised structure in the city", Liyanage added. Dr. Liyanage said Asath Salley was trying to have his own way without consulting any official of the Council or even without consulting any Member of the ruling United National Party. "He wants only publicity. He cannot act like this in the absence of the Mayor", Dr. Liyanage added. Liyanage said he has not given approval for the Acting Mayor's programme to demolish any unauthorised structure in the city. "I have given the approval for the demolition of unauthorised structures on the condition that the occupants be served with two weeks notice and provided with alternative places", Liyanage added. Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardene is now abroad to attend a conference in Seoul and is scheduled to return on September 28. CMC Opposition Leader Milton Liyanage told the Daily News all the Members of the CMC do not approve the Acting Mayor's actions with regards to the demolishion of unauthorised structures. "We are not opposing the removal of unauthorised structures in the city. But, there is a legally accepted method to do it. All the MMCs irrespective of party differences are opposing the move by the Acting Mayor", he added. He said the Asath Salley has no powers to act in this manner in the absence of the Mayor. "The Commissioner is the authorised person in the absence of the Mayor. The Acting Mayor has powers only regarding the Council", he added. Colombo Acting Mayor Asath Salley took steps last week to demolish unauthorised structures in the city with the support of the Police and has already demolished some unauthorised structures. |
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