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| Sunday, 18 April 2004 |
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Politics |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Colombo Mayor refutes media allegations In reply to certain allegations made by the media on irregularities by CMC the Mayor has issued the following statement: Some sections of both the print and electronic media have given publicity to alleged irregularities at the Colombo Municipal Council. They being attributed also to me, I am obliged to state as follows states the Mayor of Colombo Prasana Gunawardena. 1) Allocation of an under-utilised property of the Colombo Municipal Council at Tickel Road on a 30 year lease to the Women In Need Society for a partnership program with the Colombo Municipal Council for relief for Battered Women in the City of Colombo has been approved by the General Council subject to the approval of the Hon. Chief Minister, WPC and Her Excellency the President as required. The said approvals are awaited to proceed on the matter. It has not been allocated to a businessman as alleged. 2) Apart of an under-utilised property of the CMC at Park Lane, Havelock Town has been allocated on a rental basis to the Milinda Moragoda Foundation for its social programs following procedures specified under the Municipal Ordinance as approved by the General Council. It is the policy of the CMC to promote partnerships with non-governmental organizations that are actively involved in providing services for disadvantaged sections of society, and the said allocation was made under that policy. 3) The Summer Garden Restaurant has been in operation for over 10 years at the Nomads Grounds, which previously belonged to the CMC. Its operating company being required to vacate the current premises had requested the CMC for an alternated land for the continuation of the restaurant. A proposal to allocate a property currently used as a cleansing depot in the vicinity on rental basis has been under consideration at the CMC. The Finance Committee has recommended the said proposal for consideration by the General Council. However, considering that concerns of the Standing Committee on Solid Waste on effects of the proposal on Municipal Services having been disclosed subsequent to the said recommendation of the Finance Committee, it has been decided not to proceed with the proposal. The interpretation of the position in the media to the effect that land has been allocated to the Summer Garden Restaurant is incorrect. 4) The construction at the corner of the Vihara Mahadevi Park is for a new Park Office and Workers Facilities Complex. A decision that a cleansing depot should not be included in the construction had been taken prior to the media reports and that decision has been conveyed to the Chief Engineer for compliance. 5) I have on no occasion made any comment to the media on the repairs to the Grandstand Building at the former Race Course. The comment attributed to me in the some sections of the media is false. 6) Investigations regarding a spate of un-authorized Hoardings have been carried out by the CMC with the aim of facilitating their removal and due action in this regard will be taken in the near future. The allegation that unauthorised billboards are being put up with my knowledge. 7) The Construction at Jampettah Street, has not been approved by me, the matter having been dealt with by the Municipal Commissioner who is empowered to do so. His being currently abroad on vacation leave, it will be brought to his notice upon his return. |
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