News
KMC mayor granted time for preliminary objections to petition against him
The Colombo Additional Magistrate on Monday (13) granted time till March 30 to file preliminary objections in the case against Kotte Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Janaka Ranawaka and one other, for the alleged illegal acquisition of a Children’s park belonging to the KMC, and retaining its equipment
KMC UPFA member Nammunige Prasanna Ravindralal had lodged a complaint against Mayor Ranawaka and Gardeeya Arachchige Joachim on November 7, 2012, for acquiring 38.5 perches crown land on 3rd Lane, Nawala, Koswatte, worth over Rs. 40 million,
The children’s park
between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012.
The property is reportedly owned by a private company and was offered to the KMC eight years ago to build a children’s park.
Mr. Ravindralal alleges that first suspect, the Mayor, being a public servant, was guilty of a criminal breach of trust by retaining the KMC’s property for his own benefit, while the second suspect Mr. Jochiem had committed an offence by retaining the stolen property.
“The Mayor had sold the property to the person named Joachim who resided there and disposed of its articles worth Rs. 600,000,” the petitioner alleged.
“When Deputy Mayor Madura Withanage complained to the police that an outsider was residing on Council property, Mr. Joachim had shown a letter allegedly issued by the KMC. As police suspended their investigations at that point, I personally lodged a complaint against the duo,” he added.
“Mr. Ranawaka dismantled two bridges connecting Arunodaya Mawatha to Hatewatta as soon as he was appointed Mayor on January 20, 2012, threatening residents that he would demolish their unauthorised constructions unless they allowed him to dismantle the bridge,” he claimed, adding that, still the residents of that area were not provided with a bridge, as the mayor had promised when the aforesaid was taking place.
He further claimed that, although he is conducting these cases in courts at his personal expense, the Mayor spends Council money for the cases against him.
“These issues have already been reported to the police, the Local Government Commission, the CID and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, but no action has been taken to date, and therefore, he continues to follow his own schedules,” Mr. Ravindralal added.
Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Indika Bandaranayake told the Sunday Times that Provincial Councils are the authorised parties as per the 13th Amendment, to take necessary actions against such complaints, and the Ministry could only coordinate between the two.
“We have not been informed about the matter as yet, other than for the news received through the media,” said the deputy minister. “However, we intend to investigate and take necessary action in terms of the party.”
However, KMC Mayor Janaka Ranawaka’s told the Sunday Times that the property is still owned by the KMC, which CID investigations had verified. “If I have sold the property, its deed cannot be under the name of the KMC,” he said.
“They have confused Crown land with another and put up this case, because Joachim’s land is right next to this playground,” the mayor added.
According to the mayor, the equipment was removed to reconstruct the place, and he was out of the country when it was removed.
“The equipment is at the Council, and we will relocate them soon,” he said.