CMCC, a separate process

by Ranil Wijayapala

The forthcoming poll for the Colombo, Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia, Sri Jayawardhanapura-Kotte Municipal Councils, Kolonnawa Urban Council and Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha has no connection with the establishment of the proposed Colombo Metropolitan City Corporation (CMCC), Local Government and Provincial Council Ministry Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatillaka said. He said there is a long process to establish this proposed City Corporation as the draft Bill is being formulated at the Legal Draftsman’s Department.

With the formulation of the draft Bill it will be forwarded to obtain approval from the Attorney General’s Department. After taking approval from the Attorney General it has to be forwarded again for Cabinet approval. After obtaining Cabinet approval it should be gazetted to take the approval of the Provincial Councils and then for approval of Parliament. “Only after that the process is complete and such a corporation be established,” he added.

However, the conduct of the election for the five Local Government bodies will not be a hindrance in establishing the proposed Corporation at any time, as members from the governing party and from the Opposition are going to be represented in the proposed Colombo Metropolitan City Corporation too.

He said the Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister issued a gazette notification to re-establish the already dissolved Colombo Municipal Council enabling the Elections Commissioner to conduct elections for Colombo too along with the other 22 Local Government bodies.

He said the Special Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council Omar Kamil can continue till November 1, until new members are appointed to the Council at the election.

Dr. Jayathilaka said President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to take several measures in the coming weeks to ensure a free and fair elections for these local government bodies.