Puppet on a string, charges Vasu: CMC Mayor to be removed?

by Jayantha Sri Nissanka

The Government is studying the possibility of moving an amendment to the Local Government Ordinance to remove Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Mayor Imitiyaz Mohamed if he is found incapable of conducting the affairs of the Council and continues to act as a 'puppet' of influential UNP politicians.

"We are not on political witch hunting or resorting to engage in any illegal act. But we cannot let the City of Colombo collapse at the cost of political games. It will help the 'Spectacle' group to nominate another person capable to lead the CMC", Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Janaka Bandara Tennakoon told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

The Minister said he had a meeting with his top officials in this regard on Friday. "We cannot let political jokers jeopardise the services of the CMC", he stressed.

Opposition leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara had informed Minister Tennakoon and Chief Minister Reginold Cooray on how the Mayor violated Standing Orders at the inaugural meeting.

According to Standing Order 26 (1), it is mandatory upon the Council to appoint members at least to the Finance Committee and to another Committee. But the Mayor had suddenly adjourned sittings and retired through the back door.

"This could be tantamount to serious disciplinary action being taken for violation of Standing Orders. He cannot adjourn the Council without a resolution when the day's agenda had not been completed unless there was an uncontrollable situation. But there was no such uproar in the Council because the Opposition co-operated with the Mayor to conduct the proceedings", he noted.

Even the Commissioner and the Secretary of the Council had connived with the UNP, Nanayakkara charged. "I have complained to the Chief Minister of the Western Province to hold and inquiry against them", he added.

If the Mayor is found guilty he could be removed from office, he pointed out. The UNP from behind the curtain operation via the Mayor moves to have the Council dissolved by subtle means. "We will not let it happen", Nanayakkara added.