Written by Deepal Warnakulasuriya
The cash-strapped Colombo Municipal Council(CMC) busted Rs.5 million in just under two days at the expense of rate payers at a five star hotel in the salubrious environs of Kandalama, just to offer one lecture to the council members on a reported ‘training programme’, well informed CMC sources disclosed.
Despite having many five star hotels close to its surroundings in the City of Colombo, the newly-elected Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil gave the nod to move to the cool climes swept by the breezes of the reservoir to hold the lecture at the Kandalama Hotel, a project vehemently condemned by his party a decade ago during the Chandrika Kumaratunga administration.
The inaugural lecture, an educative process for councilors as claimed by the organisers, was delivered by Bradman Weerakoon, who was Secretary to seven Prime Ministers in the country.
However, trouble sparked off after a top official finished the second lecture. Councilors are reported to have taken on the official in question and raised many queries regarding his integrity and competence to deliver a lecture. At this juncture, Opposition UPFA councilors had left the lecture room, eye witness claimed.
Come what may, the Councilors occupied the Kandalama Hotel for the entire duration (February 10-12) enjoying the first class comforts. The only member who opposed this training programme when it was announced at the Council was the solitary JVP member. The outstanding bill at the Kandalama Hotel is now put for approval to expedite the payment. CMC has 53 councilors of which UNP 24, UPFA 16, DPF 6, SLMC 2, DUA 2 Independent 1, JVP 1 and Independent 1.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/latest-top-stories/item/2933-cmc-busts-rs5-m-for-just-one-lecture.html
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