CMC tipped to be suspended

Shirley Wijesinghe

COLOMBO: The present administration of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is tipped to be suspended on Friday under the powers vested with the President under the Emergency Regulations, informed sources told the Daily News yesterday.

Western Provincial Council Governor Alavi Mowlana told “Daily News” that he could not deny the information about the suspension of the CMC.

However, several senior members of the CMC contacted by the “Daily News” reserved their comments on this matter.

Opposition Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara told the “Daily News” that he has written a letter to the President making his comments on this information. But he said he informed the President about his dissatisfaction over the transfer of powers to the Commissioner if the present administration is suspended by the President.

Independent Group 3 contested under the symbol of “Spectacle” was taken over the CMC administration defeating UPFA led by CMC Opposition Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara.

The councillors of Independent Group 3 later took membership of the SLFP and vowed to work together as a united council.

But with a number of allegations on corruption and malpractices reported within the Municipal Council, Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray appointed a One Man Commission to inquire into the charges as he was not satisfied with the explanation given by the CMC.