CMC staff demanding money for Covishield vaccines Opposition CMC Councillors demand action

• The Opposition members of the council today called for the expediting of the audit inquiry
• Some of the Councillors threatened to lodge a complaint with the CID if action  was not taken

By Yohan Perera  

As an internal audit has begun on the alleged demand of money by certain staff members attached to Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to provide COVID -19 vaccines from city dwellers.

 The Opposition members of the council today called for the expediting of the audit inquiry and to reveal the outcome to the council members.  

Some of the Councillors threatened to lodge a complaint with the CID if action  was not taken against those responsible.   

SLPP Member of the Council Sharmila Gonawala told Daily Mirror that the Mayor should inform the members of the outcome of the inquiry.  

“We were made to understand that an internal audit is being conducted on the matter but we would like to know as to who had been responsible and whether any high officials were involved in it,” she said.   

SLPP Member of the CMC- Suminda Liyanapathirana who alleged that two members of the CMC staff had demanded sums ranging from Rs 5,000 to provide COVISHIELD vaccines and said he will be compelled to lodge a complaint with the CID if the inquiry  was not expedited.   

“The inquiry began nearly a month ago and it is yet to be completed. I will be compelled to lodge a complaint with the CID if the inquiry is not expedited,” he said.  

Prominent monk Uallapane Sumagala Thera who had complained against several malpractices at CMC, also called for a proper inquiry on the matter.  

Mayor Rosy Senanayake had already instructed the CMC Commissioner Roshini Dias to conduct and inquiry into 
the matter.