Panadura UC Budget defeated by one vote

The Budget for 2008 presented for the second time for councillors' approval at a special meeting of the UNP controlled Panadura Urban Council was defeated by a single vote on Thursday.

Two UNP Councillors, Vice Chairman Deepthi Asoka Abeywickrama and Jayantha Kandena were not present at the meeting to vote for the Budget presented by Chairman Vigith Priyantha de Silva for the second time for the councillors' approval. People's Alliance Councillors Rienzi Fernando and Gamini Costa and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Councillors W. Piyasena Fernando and Douglas Perera voted against the Budget. They said it was a Policy matter to vote against the Budget. They voted against the Budget last time too.

UNP Councillors Dulman Fernando and Jayasiri Kottegoda with the Chairman voted for the Budget. The Budget was defeated for the second time by a single vote as two councillors were not present at the meeting to cast their votes.

They were not present at the last meeting too. Chairman de Silva said in the future, he was not going to support or help the councillors who voted against the Budget when it was presented on the second occasion.

He said he would allocate funds for the councillors who voted for the Budget although it was defeated. He said at the next meeting, he would use his powers granted by the Local Government Authority Act to approve the Budget.

As the person championing the cause of the ratepayers he would always go out to cater to their needs. The Panadura Town Hall is already under repairs.