Muzammil backtracks?

14 October 2011 02:30 pm

Colombo mayor elect A.J.M. Muzammil said today the converting of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) into a Special Authority is still only confined to the level of political talks at the moment.

He said no one had come out with suggestions as to how it was going to be done or when.

“We will tackle the problem if and when firm proposals are submitted,” he said.

With regard to speculation that the fish market would be brought back to its original location from Peliyagoda, he said that prior to taking a decision on this matter he would have to consider government plans for the development of the City.

“I have certain plans for the City but I will have to take into consideration the plans that have been drawn up by the government as well before deciding on what has to be done,” he said.

Commenting on reports that the Urban Development Authority (UDA) hopes to take over the Vihara Maha Devi Park shortly, Mr. Muzammil said there were legal implications if such a move was to be carried out. He recalled that the Courts had ruled against the takeover when the then People’s Alliance (PA) government was trying to take it over in 2001.

Mr. Muzammil said against such a background taking over the Park was questionable and doubtful. (Yohan Perera)