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New laws to the rescue of LG Chiefs

15 Jan 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet approval has been given to draft new bills which, if enacted, will empower mayors and chairmen of local authorities to remain in office further despite the defeat of annual budgets, Daily Mirror learns.

Accordingly, the government will amend the Municipal Council Ordinance, Urban Council Ordinance, Pradeshiya Sabha Act and the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance.

The government has sought to introduce new bills by amending these four laws already in operation since the recent defeat of budgets led to the resignation of mayors and chairmen at 15 councils. A Cabinet memorandum, submitted by Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A.L.M. Athaullah in this regard, says the Local Authorities (Special Provisions) Act, in force since January 1, 2013, provides for the resignation of mayors or chairmen if the budgets presented by them are defeated twice.

“The objective of introducing this new amendment was to avoid arbitrary activities of mayors and chairmen in running local administrations. However, it was reported that the budgets were defeated with the ulterior motive of expelling mayors and chairmen from their offices. It has been done without any valid reason,” the memorandum says.

However, the proposed bills seek to give powers to the heads of local authorities to stay in office notwithstanding the fact that their budgets are defeated.

There are 335 local authorities in Sri Lanka. The budgets were defeated in 15 of them. The mayors and chairmen of a few of them had already resigned making for the appointment of new heads. (Kelum Bandara)

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New laws to the rescue of LG Chiefs

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