Kandy mayor calls for timely regulations

Asela KURULUWANSA and Nihal JAYAWARDENA

New mayor of Kandy Mahendra Ratwatte who assumed duties on October 17, called for the amendment of acts and ordinances, such as, the Municipal Council Ordinance to suit todays demands as the development of Kandy city was a need of the era to make the city an attractive place for the tourists.

Mahendra Ratwatte was sworn in as the 24th mayor of Kandy, ending 55 years of United National Party rule of the city.

The mayor and other newly elected Members of the Kandy Municipal Council were sworn in before the Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake. They included members elected under the UPFA ticket and a member of the Muslim Congress.

Ratwatte who made it clear that the development of the city to suit the needs of the day and to attract foreign tourists, was a wish of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said that it was the duty of newly elected members to cooperate in that endeavor.

The mayor expressed his readiness to shoulder all the responsibilities and give encouragement to the officials and politicians to achieve the President's goal. Former Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte and several other politicians were also present.