UPFA members deny Mayor’s charges

6 November 2011 11:31 am

UPFA members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) today denied allegations made by Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil that they broke open a room at the Town Hall and took away the keys.

CMC opposition spokesman Riza Zarook told a news conference that they had not taken any room keys at Town Hall while stressing that they could enter the opposition leader’s office any time. He also accepted that the police had taken the keys of another room.

He said the opposition requested for a room from the Western Province Chief Minister who readily granted it. However he said they had not made a request from the Mayor.

Mayor Muzammil on Friday said it would have been possible to provide a room to the leader of the opposition subject to council approval if they made a request. He therefore said traditions followed by a number of other local bodies could have been followed if a proper request was made.

Chief Opposition Whip M. H. Manzil said no laws had been violated by opening an office for the opposition leader as such a provision was made in several other local bodies. He charged that the Mayor was new to the council and was ignorant of the traditions of the council. (Yohan Perera)