Minister slams CMC administration

By Dilrukshi Fernando
Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane yesterday slammed the Colombo Municipal Council for being inefficient, unproductive and uncooperative.

The minister told the Daily Mirror the present administration of the CMC had failed miserably in executing its duties within the municipality in several aspects. “They do not respond to proposals or suggestions submitted by the government.” Mr. Gunawardane said adding that other municipalities in the district were working cordially with the Ministry.

“No steps or regulations have been implemented effectively with regard to the burning issues coming under its purview. It is high time the Colombo Mayor and his team took immediate action to address pressing issues such as garbage, unauthorized structures and the development of infrastructure,” Minister Gunawardane said.

However Mayor Mohammed U. Emthiyaz said the CMC was doing its best to discharge duties entrusted to them. “We deny the allegation that the CMC is not cooperating with the government. Our committee of sixteen is constantly in discussion with the government authorities on various matters,” he said.

According to Minister Gunawardane, the government has presented proposals to relocate pavement vendors before starting the removal of unauthorized structures. “But all of these have gone unnoticed and have been of no avail.” However responding to this point the Mayor said he was not aware of any such proposal being submitted to the CMC.

Mayor Emthiyaz said the CMC did not have the authority to take decisions on certain matters and had to seek the sanction of a gathering which will be the reason for delay in the implementation of measures. He refused to comment further on the matter without speaking to the minister who made the allegations.