The opposition says that the Mayor should examine her conscience and examine how the ruling National People’s Power Party won the second time it presented the inaugural budget, which was defeated a week ago in the Colombo Municipal Council.
Risa Sarook, a member representing the opposition in the Colombo Municipal Council, stated that the budget could not be defeated not because the opposition did not have a majority but because its members were not in the council.
He states that two members have disappeared and another member had to leave the council before voting due to personal reasons. Moreover, he says that another member was detained by the Narahenpita police.
Expressing further views, he said:
“The ruling party won the Colombo budget today. One of our MPs was taken from his house by the Narahenpita police early in the morning and detained. Two other MPs are missing. I went home and checked, but those two MPs were not there. Then we don’t have 2 votes there either. Also, another MP’s wife had to leave the voting session because she had a heart attack. Also, a female MP who was with us voted for the ruling party. We can imagine what has happened here.
The moment the budget was defeated for the first time, the Mayor said to tap her conscience. We are now telling her. To tap your conscience and ask how we achieved the majority today. It was not because we did not have the majority that we lost today. It was because the MPs were not here. We will continue to protect our majority and carry out our work.”
The first time, 60 votes were cast against the budget and only 57 votes were cast in favor. Yesterday, 58 votes were cast in favor of the budget and only 56 votes were cast against it.