Milinda resigns

25 April 2012 01:14 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Opposition Leader of the Colombo Municipal Council Milinda Moragoda announced today that he has decided to step down as Leader of the Opposition and Member of the Council.

Making a statement at the Opposition Group meeting, Mr. Moragoda says as he unable to give full commitment to the affairs of the council he has decided to resign.

“It is essential that the Leader of the Opposition give full commitment to the affairs of the Council and ensure that the foundation we have established remains united and resolute. My present responsibilities elsewhere prevent me from filling that role, and it is for that reason and that reason alone, that I have decided to step down,” he said.

The full statement

During thirty years of war, the citizens of our city had to endure deprivation and neglect. Therefore, when President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited me some eight months ago to be the UPFA candidate for election as Mayor of Colombo, I recognized the opportunity to serve this City and its citizens and, after much reflection decided to accept.

At the start of my campaign, I put forward a detailed policy and governance platform that aimed at making nothing less than a revolutionary transformation of Colombo into an advanced modern city to rival others in Asia and elsewhere. It was not only revolutionary in scope, but would also require a revolution in our political culture – a unified effort by all sides, to achieve its objectives. As you know, we did not succeed, and the election resulted in a fractured mandate. This has required the UPFA and our allies in the Municipal Council to begin a process of political consolidation.

Since Sri Lanka regained its independence in 1948, Colombo politics has been dominated by a single political party. But the results of our recent election have, for the first time, signaled an important electoral shift that has created the potential for the UPFA to win a clear mandate from the citizens of Colombo at a future election. Over the past six months I have worked hard to build a strong team that will provide the necessary foundation to enable us to achieve that objective. As a result, we are today strongly positioned in the Municipal Council. This was recently proven when the UPFA and our allies were able to win a crucial majority of seats in the Finance Committee, the most important committee in the Council.

To move forward to the next stage, however, it is essential that the Leader of the Opposition give full commitment to the affairs of the Council and ensure that the foundation we have established remains united and resolute. My present responsibilities elsewhere prevent me from filling that role, and it is for that reason, and that reason alone, that I have decided to step down as Leader of the Opposition, and Member of the Council. As I do so, I want to assure you that I stand ready to provide advice and guidance to the new Leader should he so desire, and I will continue to serve the citizens of our great City in various other capacities as I have always done. In addition, in my role as Senior Advisor to the President, my support and assistance will be available to you.

I feel honoured to have served as a Member of the CMC, an institution with a venerable history and traditions, and would like to express my gratitude to all of you for your unstinting support and for the confidence that you have placed in me from the very beginning. My appreciation extends to all of you here who joined together to work as a united team. We have had our difficulties and challenges, but at the end of the day I am happy to say that we have accomplished much and have the clear potential to be a winning team.

I would like to place on record my gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for inviting me to take up the challenges offered in seeking to lead the Colombo Municipal Council, and to our President and to Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for their support and encouragement during my tenure as Leader of the Opposition.

I also wish to thank the Mayor of Colombo, the Commissioner, officials and staff of the Colombo Municipal Council for the assistance rendered to me during my tenure in office.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to state categorically that speculation appearing in the media that I will be taking up a position in an important international organization is not true, and is moreover completely without foundation. My commitment remains to serve the citizens of Colombo and of our great country.

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Comments - 16

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 25 April 2012 01:57 PM

Getting ready for another high jump ?

Yasas Wednesday, 25 April 2012 01:30 PM

If you cannot give full commitment to the post why did you contest the election?????

ameer Wednesday, 25 April 2012 02:55 PM

Sir time has come to you cross over

Channa Asela Wednesday, 25 April 2012 02:30 PM

A great decision. Sri Lanka will gain more by appointing you as an ambassador. Else your knowledge, experience and talents will be wasted.

banda Wednesday, 25 April 2012 03:03 PM

Please tell what you have achieved in the last few years, apart from the benefits YOU get by being in the ruling party.

shantha madawela Wednesday, 25 April 2012 02:53 PM

What is the next game...?

PETER Wednesday, 25 April 2012 05:35 PM

THONDA SUBMITED GIS RESIGNATION SOMETIME AGO
AKEEM WANTTO LEAVE GOVT
NOW MILINDA RESINGS
ARE THEY RATS LEAVING THE SINKING SHIP

sam Amaratunga Wednesday, 25 April 2012 05:56 PM

Nice wordings. But, we all know that you are another political jocker. Don't waste people's money any more.

Rangan Wednesday, 25 April 2012 06:07 PM

Experienced high jumper?

amarasekera Thursday, 26 April 2012 02:57 AM

Mr milinda- The grand fathers grand son- opportunist of the highest order-you should have been sacked

eranga Thursday, 26 April 2012 03:17 AM

@ peter : Stop day dreaming man!

Challenger Thursday, 26 April 2012 03:21 AM

Exactly the point. Like always, start with one and end with another. We can't trust people like you, Milinda and all other pole vaulters. You have very clearly shown us that we had misplaced our trust in our chosen politicians. You betrayed us without consulting our views and opinions and taking everything for granted that we gave you a mandate to do what you pleased.
(Dear Editor, Please publish this)

Chandadasa Thursday, 26 April 2012 03:26 AM

When are you going to withdraw the resignation? After MR's return from Korea?

Samantha Thursday, 26 April 2012 03:45 AM

Media made this person as a giant but he never prove it

Haraka Thursday, 26 April 2012 04:34 AM

All three are rats for sure. The ship certainly is full of pirates, rats and vermin which many countries other than a few are not ready to accept.

Mudiyanse Friday, 27 April 2012 03:54 AM

What ever happens we dont need a muslim ruler to Colombo.

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Milinda resigns

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