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2022 Budget allocations for Nuwara Eliya MC approved
The 2022 budget for the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council was approved with a majority of 18 votes.
The 2022 budget for the United National Party (UNP) controlled Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council was approved with a majority of 18 votes. Two SLFP councilors also supported the proposals on Friday.
Former Mayor Mahinda Dodampegama voted against the move.
Two Sri Lanka Podujana Pereamuna (SLPP) members abstained from voting and two other members did not attend the meeting.
Presenting the Budget, Nuwara Eliya Mayor Chandana Lal Karunaratne said many efforts have been taken to guarantee the functioning of basic utilities and public health for the people, although the expected targets have not been achieved this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rehabilitation of the Thalagala and Hewaeliya canal projects have been delayed due to heavy rains and flooding in the area. The cleaning operations of canals had to be undertaken with the assistance of the District Secretariat and the Disaster Management Unit, he added.
Speaking at the Budget hearing, former Mayor Mahinda Dodampegama said it is not correct to depend on Central Government borrowings and there is no proper allocation and plans in the Budget for tourist development in the area.
He also emphasised the need for an eco-friendly plan for tourism development in the area, and said the town crematorium is old and needs to be replaced with a new one. New machinery for garbage management in the town is also needed, and the problem of providing clean drinking water for the town’s people needed to be addresssed, he added.
Mr Dodampegama also said the income of the Municipality had fallen by 1.5% since his leaving the position as Mayor.
Councilor Aunsha Shamali spoke on behalf of the Opposition party, while Susantha Pahaliyawadana, Gamini Dissanayake and R. Kenis spoke for the UNP.
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