Colombo Mayor, deputy sitting tight

By Nalaka Nonis

CMC Mayor Mohammed Imitiaz and his deputy S. Rajendran have no plans to give up their positions despite a no-confidence motion being passed against them with an overwhelming majority. Mr. Rajendran said they will not resign their posts as the no-confidence motion passed against them was not legal and not in accordance with the CMC constitution. The motion was passed on July 12 with 21 members supporting it.

He claimed the motion against them was passed after the council had been adjourned by him in the absence of the mayor who had left early. Mr. Rajendran said four of his councillors had been threatened with death by unknown people, if they turned up for the CMC sessions last Thursday and as a result two of them had not turned up.

However, despite their being defeated in a no-confidence motion, there was no legal provision to sack them from their posts. Chief Minister Reginald Cooray said the two could not be sacked despite the no-confidence motion but added that practically they may be confronted with difficulties when the council was already affected over a number of issues.

One of the signatories to the no-confidence motion, SLFP Councillor Ariyaratne Wedage, said only the strength of the ruling council was tested with the motion as the deputy major had claimed his group could not be defeated.

He claimed the no-confidence motion was valid and none heard the mayor adjourning the council meeting. CMC Opposition Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who did not vote on the no-confidence motion said that according to his understanding the motion was questionable and contentious as there was a problem with regard to its legality. He said what was currently going on at the council was a clash between the mayor’s group and officials there.

Meanwhile ruling councillors Mr. Yogarajan Pillai and Ms. Sudharshan Bharathi claimed they together with two other members were threatened by unknown callers with death if they attended the council sessions last Thursday.