Kandy Municipal Council (KMC) officers staged a protest during their ‘lunch hour ' on Friday over a statement made by Councilor Azmin Marikar at the council meeting held on Thursday.
The action follows a 'walk out’ staged by the heads of departments (who attend council meetings) half-way through the meeting.
During his speech regarding work carried out by the (KMC) Mr. Marikkar said "all public servants are terrorists”.
The Mayor –Raja Pushpakumar— cautioned the member and asked him to stop making unwarranted charges against public servants.
He called on the member to withdraw his remarks.
Responding to the Mayors call for the withdrawal of his remarks, Mr. Marikkar withdrew his earlier statement claiming what he had meant was that public servants who do not fulfil their obligations were like terrorists. He added “there are some people who do not work and ruin the economy of the country.”
After recess, Mayor Raja Phuspakumar said when members speak in council, they need to be precise and no individual names should be mentioned especially when they do not have the right of reply or when they are not in the council. He stressed members should abide by rules of the council. He expressed his thanks to the member for having apologised.
The heads of departments of the KMC led by Commssioner Chandana Tennakoon sent a letter to the Mayor protesting the charges made by councillor Marikkar.
Responding to the letter the Mayor said since the Member had subsequently apologised, the issue was a thing of the past.
Deputy Mayor Shaminda Wickramasinghe and Councillor Anura Gonawela, reminded members of the need for a better knowledge and understanding of the rules governing the Council especially when making complaints on different issues.
The members stressed public servants, whatever their shortcomings, were an essential cog in the municipal machinery and it was necessary to maintain cordial relations. |
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