SLMC threatens to pull out of the UNP (Colombo Municipal Council)

Feb 9 (IL) The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has viewed with deep concern the internal squabble within the United National Party Municipal Council in which it is a major stakeholder.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Colombo District Organiser Shafeek Rajabdeen notes that the SLMC alliance with the UNP is getting deteriorated and the omission of the SLMC in the Council’s Financial Committee, which was one of the undertakings given by the UNP to the SLMC when the Congress came into a partnership with the UNP in 2001 has made matters worse.

Mr. Rajabdeen who is also a Western Province Councilor during a meeting with Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardena today warned that unless the UNP sort out its internal squabbles between the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Azath Sally and the other groups, the SLMC which has six posts will consider sitting with or joining the Opposition.

The SLMC Organizer also impressed upon the Mayor to make sure that the SLMC is included in the Financial Committee, and it be given the post of chairman in one of the six committees, according to the agreement between the SLMC and UNP.

The SLMC also clearly states that it does not support the no confidence motion against Colombo Deputy Mayor Mr. Sally.

“Whatever the problems within the UNP, they should be settled within themselves immediately and the matters concerning the SLMC should also be taken up before it’s too late,” Mr. Rajabdeen told Mayor Prasanna.