VIDEO: UNP to launch petition against turning CMC into Authority

Turning the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) into an Authority denies the voters their rights to choose their representatives in the city, says the United National Party (UNP).

Addressing a media briefing at the Opposition Leader’s office at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha in Colombo, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the UNP was against such a move is it was against the norms of democracy.

Mr. Attanayake also said that the UNP would launch a petition campaign from October 6 and once the signatures from the public were obtained, would hand it over to the Elections Commissioner.

The UNP General Secretary claims that the government wants to convert the CMC into an authority so that it could give away the state lands to its henchmen. He said that the party will begin campaigns to raise public awareness on this issue.

On Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Sarath Fonseka not being allowed to attend Parliament, Tissa Attanayake said that it was a denial of Mr. Fonseka’s Parliamentary privileges.

“We have informed the Speaker about this. If he fails to take a decision, the Opposition will decide to take up the matter further,” added Mr. Attanayake.

The UNP General Secretary also said that once President Mahinda Rajapaksa is sworn in for his second term probably in November, he will appoint several more members, at least five more, as Minister thus beginning the creation of another jumbo Cabinet.