The Mayoral stakes, crossovers and slum dwellers in Lanka

Most flood victims live in city slums. The Colombo Settlement Survey (CSS) of 2023 reveals there are around 65,000 slum dwellers living in 1,507 slum settlements in Colombo city alone–a result of rapid urbanisation

At the recently held local government election, National People’s Power (NPP) captured power in 266 out of 339 local government bodies.The election was held on May 06. The NPP was defeated, however, in the northern and eastern regions as the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC)  together won 42 local authorities.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) -– largest parliamentary opposition party -- won a mere 13 local bodies.

The Crown jewel among the local bodies however, has always been the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). Though winning the largest number of seats at the CMC election, the NPP was unable to gain a majority sufficient to form a council on its own, winning only 48 seats. 

So, the campaign to secure the numbers required to form an administration began. The SJB General Secretary informed the media his party would ensure an SJB candidate would be elected Mayor of the CMC with the help of non NPP parties and independent groups. The President in turn said his party had won the largest number of votes and was entitled to form the council.

Adding to the messy situation JVP General Secretary (JVP is part of the NPP) Tilvin Silva declared that the ruling party wouldn’t, under any circumstances, form coalitions with those who had been rejected by the people.

Mamma mia! Soon,  independent groups who garnered around a dozen seats at the CMC election, charged that particular members of the NPP were offering them huge sums of cash to help form the administration in Colombo. Come Mayoral Election Day, the NPP was able to have its nominee win the mayoral post. Sixty-one members voted for the NPP candidate.

Was it cash or was it conscience? Only time will tell.

Surmonising apart, Her Worship will have her hands full from the moment she takes office. The South West monsoon is just blowing in. At every monsoon season,0 thousands of Colombo’s populace are displaced as flood waters inundate their homes.

Several factors have contributed to this issue, including the inability of the current drainage system to handle rainwater. It has been pointed out that the increase in illegal housing construction blocks  waterways and inadequate garbage disposal systems which block drainage systems are among the main reasons behind flooding.

Most flood victims live in city slums.The Colombo Settlement Survey (CSS) of 2023 reveals there are around 65,000 slum dwellers living in 1,507 slum settlements in Colombo city alone–a result of rapid urbanisation.

Colombo is in immediate need of a plan to create an alternative living space for these 65,000 citizens whose dwelling places are a major cause for flooding in the city. CMC Director Engineering Ranawaka has emphasised the urgent need to improve the city’s drainage system in order to address the city floods, which lead  mosquito breeding and an increase in mosquito-borne diseases.  

A majority of persons living in these inner cities or slums as they are normally referred to backed the NPP at the elections. Since the presidency, parliament and the CMC are now in NPP hands, these people expect a change for the better in their circumstances. Yet, malnutrition in Sri Lanka -particularly among children is rising. 

The main cause being household food insecurity is caused by low income levels. With Israel’s attacks on Iran, a steep price rise in fuel and gas must be anticipated. It will lead to a further steep rise in the cost of living and possible closure of small industrial units leading to job losses laying further stress on family incomes.

Despite smarting from the embarrassment of losing the Mayoral stakes at the CMC, the government and the opposition – in parliament and the CMC -- must come together to face these issues unitedly rather than picking petty issues. 

Let’s face it. Whatever said and done the NPP won 43 seats at the CMC elections. It is apparent whom the majority voted to lead that body. Let us stop nit picking and come together to uplift the most needy sections of our community, as well as rid Colombo of its periodic flooding.