Even as the Colombo Municipal Council remains suspended, unauthorized structures continue to come up allegedly with the blessings of the mayor and some council members, The Sunday Times learns.
Although powers and functions of the mayor and council members have ceased with the suspension which came into effect on Thursday night, constructions that are deemed illegal continue, council sources alleged yesterday.
They claimed that unauthorized structures, some on pavements and others on CMC land, were being erected with Mayor Mohamed Imithiaz and his councillors allegedly giving the green light.
The sources said unauthorized structures were coming up along the pavement close to Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium with the special commissioner who is now vested with the powers of the council taking little or no action.
Although work on these unauthorized constructions began well before the council was suspended, the special commissioner could exercise his powers to stop them.
But this was not happening, the sources said.
They also said the mayor and the deputy mayor continue to use their official vehicles though they were not entitled to any perks or privileges after the suspension of the council. The mayor and other councillors could only receive their monthly salaries, they said.
On Thursday, Western Province Chief Minister Reginold Cooray announced the suspension of the council and appointed former Supreme Court judge Hector S. Yapa to inquire into allegations cited in a 46-page report prepared by former Court of Appeal judge Chandradasa Nanayakkara.
The Chief Minister also appointed Western Province Local Government Commissioner H. Sumanapala as the special commissioner.
Apart from the allegations cited in the report, the council is also under a cloud for alleged misuse of council property, failure to remove garbage and maintain roads.
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| Unauthorised structures close to the Premadasa Statdium. Pic by J. Weerasekera |
CMC’s opposition leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said he believed that the probe should identify the persons responsible for the mismanagement of the council and punitive action such as expulsion from the council, should be taken against them.
In recent years, several CMC-maintained roads at places such as Borella, Maradana, Wellawatta, Modara and Bambalapitiya have caved in. The latest road to cave in was Chatham Street in Fort.
Mayor sees plot by the rich
Mohammed Imithiaz, a three-wheel driver who contested the municipal council elections in 2005 on the UNP-backed independent ‘spectacle’ group and won to become the mayor, is in the eye of the controversy that has beset the council.
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| Mohammed Imithiaz |
Denying allegations against him and the council he ran for three years, he says he is prepared to give up the perks of office and travel by bus. Excerpts of the interview he gave The Sunday Times:
Q: How do you see the status of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) today?
A: The council has been suspended, but the work will continue as scheduled.
Q: But for how long will the council remain suspended?
A: The Chief Minister has told us that a retired judge will conduct an inquiry. Until the probe is concluded the council may remain suspended.
Q: What is your response to allegations of mismanagement?
A: I will not comment on it as the matter is now being probed.
Q: But, some of the allegations are directed at you. What will you do if you are found guilty?
A: I will act according to the directions of Chief Minister (Reginold Cooray) and President Mahinda Rajapaksa. I respect them.
Q: Why do you think that the allegations have surfaced suddenly?
A: Some ‘useless persons’ have brought these allegations. However I welcome the move by the Chief Minister and the Governor. It is good to hold an investigation and find out who is responsible. I have done great service to the council. I have been working for the poor. These allegations are being brought by those who travel by BMWs and Benz cars. The poor people support me. I associate with three-wheeler drivers, Nattamis, small-time businessmen and women. The rich do not come and meet me. It is the poor who associate with me.
Look at the work we have done. For the SAARC summit, we decorated the city. The Viharamahadevi Park was renovated for the first time in 16 years.
Q: Have you discussed the situation with the President?
A: Yes about a month ago, the President summoned us for a discussion and told us about his plan. I told the President that we were no longer ‘green’. We are ‘blue’ and we will work for him.
Q: You said that the city was redone during the SAARC, but during heavy rains some of the roads are underwater.
A: We face a particular problem at Armour Street where one of the main drains that take rain water to the sea had been blocked by the Colombo Port. Now this drain has been reopened and the water flow is smooth.
Q: In the event your council is dissolved, will you re-contest the elections and will you contest from the UNP.
A: If there is such a decision I will contest elections, but that would be from President Rajapaksa’s party. He has helped me a lot.
Q: Is it correct that you suddenly cancelled a proposed visit to Australia. Why was that?
A: Who said so?
Q: We have information to this effect
A: Yes, I was not well. I could not take part. It was a conference of mayors. Also there were heavy rains in Colombo and I did not want to be blamed for leaving the country when rains play havoc in the city. Therefore I did not go. The Secretary went, but that was at his expense.
Q: But can the Secretary take part in the meeting?
A: He went on his own expense. I cannot stop him. He had been at the meeting for 10 minutes and left to attend to his own work. I have no control on him because he went on his own expenses.
Q: You say you associate with people like three wheeler drivers, labourers etc, but the allegation levelled against you is that you were driving a three-wheeler and now you are traveling in a Montero?
A: They are making false allegations. I don’t travel in a Montero, but I travel in an Audi car. In any case they shouldn’t forget that I am the Mayor now. I am a man who travelled in a bus and will still be ready to go by bus or walk, if I lose this position. |
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