Rs. 42m allocated for development projects not used

The Moratuwa Municipal Council Opposition Leader Kularatne Peiris (UNP) said the ruling party in the MC was corrupt and that the allocation of Rs.42 million received from the government for projects implemented by the Opposition members had been returned when they failed to misuse it.

He told the media that the allocation under the decentralized budget was to implement 51 projects in areas represented by the UNP members.

“The allocation had been released to the Divisional Secretariat and the Divisional Secretary requested for the approval of the Municipal Council to use the allocation for development projects implemented by the UNP members.

However, the Mayor , Saman Lal did not allow it. The ruling party wanted to misuse the allocation for their personal benefit. Now we have been left without funds to implement any development projects. The Mayor had informed the Divisional Secretary that the ruling party members would undertake the 51 projects and that the allocation should be released to them. The Mayor expected 15 per cent commission from the projects. We will take to the street soon if the Mayor ignores the issue and fails to have the allocation released” he said.

However, Mayor Saman Lal who refused the allegations said that he had not received any information from the Divisional Secretary or any other official regarding an allocation of Rs.42 million.

“It is utterly false that I returned it. However, when I informed President Maithripala Sirisena about this crisis he told me that the government had provided an allocation of Rs.42 million for all members of the Council and not only the UNP group. However, the allocation has not yet been received.” he said.

He told the media that the allocation under the decentralized budget was to implement 51 projects in areas represented by the UNP members