CMC on fire over ‘cremated’ documents

By Chaminda Silva-August 29, 2013

Members of the Colombo Municipal Council in a heated argument during the monthly meeting yesterday on the recent burning of thousands of CMC files at the Borella Cemetery. Pic by Sajith Jayasekera.

Pandemonium reigned at the Colombo Municipal Council’s monthly meeting yesterday as councilors resorted to profane language and disturbances in a debate on the recent burning of thousands of CMC files at the Borella cemetery.

Tension prevailed as the councilors, both UPFA and UNP, hurled verbal abuse at one another, demanding explanations on the findings of the probe into the burning of around 6,000 municipal files.

The uproar started with Opposition members accusing the Municipal Commissioner of acting against a motion passed in the council to remove Administrative Officer of the CMC Secretariat, Shelton Perera from his post.

The motion was passed on July 20 as Perera was found guilty of malpractices. Yet he was still working in his position, the Opposition claimed

Some members of the ruling party even spoke in support of their Opposition counterparts. They said that Perera continued to hold that post despite the removal order and it was he who had wanted to destroy some files containing details about some questionable deals. Members shouted that Perera should be removed immediately.

The members who had visited the place where documents were set on fire said they had found partially burnt documents pertaining to recruitment during the period 2010-2011 as well as the Council’s assets.

Some members were seen trying to hit each other and the arguments continued even after the house had adjourned at 4.30 p.m.