Unsatisfactory service, CMC councillors walk out in protest

Shirley Wijesinghe

Several councillors staged a walk out during sessions of the Colombo Municipal Council on Wednesday to register their protest against the unsatisfactory service of the Colombo Municipality towards the Colombo North division.

The walk out and a 10-minute boycott of the sessions were proposed by CMC Councillor Mohamed Faiz and the sessions were adjourned due to lack of quorum.

"No garbage collection had been done by the CMC during the last two weeks. The sewerage and drainage systems were in a horrible state. Their maintenance are very poor, Councillor Mohamed Faiz protested blaming the Engineering Department of the CMC for the lapse.

Councillor A.S.J. Benjamin pointed out not only Colombo North but the entire city is in a state of neglect and appealed to the Council to provide a better service to the ratepayers.

Councillor Saman Abeygoonaratne commenting on the irregularities in assigning overseas tours, said a schedule maintained in this regard was being ignored.

The financial committee proposal seeking approval for Rs. 20 million from the allocations of 2008 for the distress loan for CMC staff members passed by the Council.

Councillor Hemantha Kumara Weerakoon opposed the present procedure followed by the CMC administration of seeking outside help even for minor vehicle repairs. He said that such repairs could be assigned to the CMC workshop.