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In yet another example of just how unpredictable the situation at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) can be, the National People’s Power (NPP) on Wednesday failed to win control of the all-powerful Finance Committee, with all five positions that are chosen by election being won by the so-called ‘combined opposition’.

Wednesday saw members being elected to 23 standing committees of the CMC. Their term will run from January 14 to December 31 this year. A total of 114 councillors were present and voted during the elections, with three others being absent on the day. Voting was held via secret ballot.

There are six members on the CMC’s Finance Committee, with the Mayor being appointed as chairperson in an ex-officio capacity. Accordingly, a secret ballot was held among the 114 members who were present to elect members for the remaining five positions. All five posts went to opposition councillors, with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) getting three and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) one each.

When it came to the selection of the six members to serve on the other 22 committees, four of the positions went to opposition councillors, while the NPP managed to secure two.

SJB Councillor Roy Bogahawatta, one of those elected to serve on the Finance Committee under the chairpersonship of Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, said the victory ensured that the mayor could not do anything as Finance Committee chair without the sanction of the opposition and that the mayor needed to work with them when taking decisions as Finance Committee chair.

Election of chairpersons for the other 22 committees will be held next Friday.

Students’ meal money stolen: Principal throws lavish party for husband

An inquiry has found that a Medirigiriya school principal had defrauded state funds allocated to provide school meals at her school and used the money to throw a lavish birthday bash for her husband.

The inquiry, launched by North-Central provincial education authorities following complaints by officials of the School Development Society and parents of students, had found that the principal had embezzled funds allocated to provide lunch to primary section students to throw the birthday party for her husband on December 5, 2022.

Parents of primary students attending school on this date had been told to send lunch from home for their children that day since the school lunch would not be provided. Investigators had found that a fake voucher had subsequently been submitted claiming that lunch was provided for the students on this date. The money that had been thus defrauded had then been paid to the supplier of the school meals for catering services at the birthday party held for the principal’s husband.

During the period that she had been under probe, the principal had passed the educational administrative service exam and had qualified to become an administrative officer, but this appointment has now been suspended following facts established at the inquiry.

By partaking milk rice, PHU leader Gammanpila expressed his happiness over Ms Chang’s departure from Sri Lanka.

Gammanpila happy to see Chung’s back

While many government and opposition politicians thanked outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung and wished her all the best, one person who was certainly not sorry to see her go was former Minister and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila.

Mr Gammanpila held a press conference to celebrate the departure of Ms Chung, saying that it was an occasion that should be celebrated throughout the country with “raban and kiribath” (drums and milk rice). As a symbolic gesture of celebration, Mr Gammanpila then took a bite out of a piece of milk rice he had in front of him as cameras clicked away.

Departing US ambassador Julie Chung in conversation with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam

Mahinda-Chung in Helapa talks

US Ambassador Julie Chung called on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa before her departure.

She was treated to some Sri Lankan delicacies, of which Ms Chung enjoyed the ‘helapa’, calling it her favourite among local sweetmeats. She also told the former president that she had travelled to Kataragama.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna General Secretary Sagara Kariawasam, who was present at the meeting, told Ms Chung that before the southern highway was built, a trip to Kataragama was a two-day tour, but now one could leave home after breakfast, attend the morning Pooja at Kataragama and return by noon. Ambassador Chung acknowledged the
convenience of travel and also noted her visits to Weligama for surfing.

Speaker Jagath Wickremaratne being welcomed by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla

Speaker meets Speakers

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, who is in India to participate in the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth in New Delhi, held talks with Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Lankan Speaker also held talks with Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom; Francis Scarpaleggia, Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada; and Milton Dick, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia.

President trolled for Jaffna speech

The President was in Jaffna this week to coincide with Thai Pongal.

He took time off to meet with members of the public as well as take a morning stroll through the streets of Jaffna. But what caught the attention of many was the President’s speech at the launch of the ‘Ratama Ekata‘ (Country Together) anti-drug campaign. He was critical of those travelling to the North to observe sil.

He said those gathering every full moon (poya) day at certain disputed sites were driven not by devoutness but by hatred. “They pass the Sri Maha Bodhiya and come to Jaffna to observe sil. That is not piety but hatred,” he said. While the President vowed not to allow racism to raise its head again, his remarks have drawn wide criticism on social media.

They ask what made him conclude that people coming on pilgrimage come with “hatred”, and if those from the North observing religious rites in Wellawatte and taking the Vel cart around Colombo also do so with “hatred”.

Special Ramadan leave for state-sector Muslim officers

The Public Administration Ministry has announced the granting of special leave during the upcoming Ramadan season, which is due to begin on February 19 and end on March 21.

Ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries, department heads and state corporation and statutory board chiefs have been requested to make arrangements to enable Muslim officers to take part in prayers and religious activities during this period. The times allocated are 03.30 a.m. to 6 a.m., 3.15 p.m. to 4.15 p.m., 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

A circular issued in this regard said that work shifts should be arranged wherever possible to enable those officers to take part in religious activities during these periods.

Sino-Lanka friendship at Food Harbour

The newest addition to the Port City, the Food Harbour, was declared open this week by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath. He was joined by Chinese Ambassador Qi Zenghong and Ms Zenghong.

The trio enjoyed an Italian meal at the Food Harbour, which offers cuisine from different parts of the world. The Italian restaurant is run by a Sri Lankan who lived in Italy for many years.

“The Food Harbour represents a new national confidence. A confidence that believes Sri Lanka can design world-class spaces, nurture local enterprise, welcome global partnerships, and present to the world an experience that is uniquely our own,” Mr. Herath said in his speech at the opening.