MEMBERS ENGAGE IN POLITICAL BANTER

Inaugural meeting of Moratuwa Municipal Council

Recently elected Moratuwa Municipality members engaged in political banter relating to black arm bands, televisions purchased from public funds and the game of snakes and ladders, during its inaugural meeting held last week.

JVP councillor Nishantha Fernando kicked off with the issue of purchasing a television set with public funds. The councillor reminded members that public funds could not be used for such purposes and requested bills for reimbursements not be presented to the council on such matters.

“Just because we got elected does not mean that we can use public funds as we please. I would like to state here that we will not be approving the reimbursement of such purchases. The residents elected us to resolve their issues for them and not for such issues,” he said.

The meeting also witnessed UNP members wearing black arm bands condemning the attack on fellow councillor Sajith Duminda Peiris who was assaulted by several individuals. Commenting on the UNP members decision,

The councillor reminded members that public funds could not be used for such purposes and requested bills for reimbursements not be presented to the council on such matters

SLPP member Anura Fernando drew parallels with the former councillor who was harassed by members of the previous council.

The meeting also witnessed UNP members wearing black arm bands condemning the attack on fellow councillor Sajith Duminda Peiris who was assaulted by several individuals.

“With everything she had to go through, we weren’t surprised that she decided to wear a black sari every day. She went through much more at the hands of the previous council,” Fernando said.

Other SLPP members also commented on UNP mayoral candidate Senaka Damayantha who relinquished his post at the Provincial Council to compete in the recently concluded elections.

“What happened to Senaka Damayantha was unfair. He was a provincial councillor who was asked to compete in the municipality elections. It was like watching a game of snakes and ladders, where he stepped into a square filled with snakes and had to step down much more than anticipated,” he said.

Replying to the statement, Councillor Sunil Masakorala (UNP) said that if political mileage was to be determined by a game such as snakes and ladders, then it was only fair to note that former president Mahinda Rajapakse who was the President of the country on one occasion was no longer a minister or even a parliamentarian of note.