Corruption allegations galore ahead of CMC budget to be presented second time

By Yohan Perera   

Allegations have surfaced that the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has offered monetary incentives to opposition members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to ensure their absence at council sessions scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, when the budget is to be presented for the second time.   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman told the Daily Mirror that there is a deliberate attempt to engineer the passage of the budget by encouraging opposition members to boycott the session. “There is a sinister move to get some opposition members to stay away so the budget can be passed. We will take appropriate action to prevent this,” he said.   

Opposition CMC member Roy Bogahawatta also criticised the ruling party, accusing it of engaging in petty politics. “President Anura Kumara Dissanayake strongly opposed political crossovers when he was in the opposition. However, it was his own party that secured the support of opposition members to elect the current Mayor, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, during the inaugural CMC sessions,” Bogahawatta alleged.  

Responding to the accusations, Deputy Mayor Hemantha Weerakoon dismissed the claims and accused the opposition of attempting to block benefits intended for city residents. “The opposition is playing politics to prevent the bonanza being offered to city dwellers through this budget,” he said. He outlined several proposed measures, including a reduction in crematorium charges, the construction of CMC-run funeral parlours to provide affordable funeral services, an allocation of Rs. 150 million to increase funding for midday meals for kindergarten children, and a reduction of the entertainment tax from 12 per cent to 7 per cent. “There is absolutely no truth in the allegation that monetary rewards have been offered to opposition members,” the Deputy Mayor added.