The UNP Leadership Council is being urged to launch a disciplinary inquiry into the conduct of its Colombo Mayor, after the latter flouted a party decision last week.
Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil attended the CHOGM opening ceremony on Friday despite a decision by the UNP Leadership Council to boycott Commonwealth proceedings due to the recent attacks on its party headquarters by Government goons.
Dammika, Mahinda, Muzammil and Basil / File photo
Muzammil has feigned ignorance about the party decision, arrived at on Wednesday after a human rights festival at its Sirikotha headquarters came under attack by Government sponsored demonstrators.
However, earlier the Mayor told the media that inspite of the incident, he had participated in the opening ceremony “displaying the spirit of patriotic cooperation and to fulfill the duties that have traditionally been bestowed upon the city of Colombo’s first citizen.”
But party insiders say Muzammil, made the calculation that it was safer to flout his Party orders rather than risk the wrath of Defence and Urban Development Authority Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He is now seeking the UNP’s forgiveness for attendance.
The opposition seats at CHOGM were empty following the UNP decision with the exception of the Colombo Mayor.
Muzammil won the 2011 Municipal election in Colombo to head the only UNP administration in the country. However his tenure has been marked by capitulation before the all powerful Defence Ministry and UDA under whose supervision the capital has been getting a massive facelift. The wife of his son, a foreigner who came from overseas was also recently was appointed to a senior position at the Kingsbury Hotel owned by Rajapaksa confidant and businessman Dhammika Perera.
Despite being voted into office by the city’s urban poor, the Colombo Mayor has been deafeningly silent on the issue of urban evictions in Slave Island and Maligawatte by the Rajapaksa run UDA, the heart of the UNP’s vote base in the capital.
The UNP Mayor has been a strong proponent of the Secretary to the MOD and has repeatedly credited Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the rejuvenation of the Capital.
Despite nearly all the expenditure for the recent CHOGM face-lift of Colombo being borne by the Colombo Municipal Council and the World Bank that is funding the metro development project in part, the Mayor has permitted the credit to be given to the UDA and the Defence Ministry.
In the aftermath of the beautification, the Colombo Mayor has begun to demand that the Ministry of External Affairs pays the CMC a whopping Rs. 800 million for city upgrade.
Under the circumstances, senior UNP members are calling for an inquiry into the Mayor’s conduct given his recent behaviour.
Dhanushka De silva / November 18, 2013
There were better qualified UNPers for the Mayoral Candidature. As Usual Ranil went with the choice of his and Ravi’s and has made a mess of that as well! Choose people with integrity!
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Yehiya / November 18, 2013
Yes.These are Ranils weakness.Leadership council must act on muzzamil & Sajith. Party need the disciplinary members.
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Omar / November 18, 2013
I agree but Muzammil is not in a stable position or has no choice with Gota poking his nose everywhere.
His participation as City mayor was justifiable. Besides he on daily basis has to work with Gota. At the same time if the party leadership has taken a decesion to boycott the event that must be abliged.
So Muzammil is in a no win sutiation.
What I saw long time back was Muzammil either would join this regime at some stage since he has no other option or he would be compelled to join the regime by Gota/MR.
If UNP sacks Muzammil nothing would happen to UNP votes in Colombo. Almost all UNPers voted for UNP and not for Muzammil. It was an unknown name to many then. He was/is not even popular among the Muslims let alone the others.
This Mayor’s present situation is like that of WJM Lokubandara’s when he was appointed as the Speaker while representing the UNP.
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julampitiye amare / November 18, 2013
I think the “china Bull” might have convinced him to attend.
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Rajash / November 18, 2013
may be I am an idiot but can some one tell me how to reconcile the two
(a)BBS (Gota) attacking Muslims
(b) Muslim Mayor/Muslim MP’s issue statements/field questions in support of Gota
am I stupid or am i stupid
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ruwan / November 18, 2013
That’s the $ 64,000.00 Q ! I have wondered the same thing ! Strange bedfellows ? !….IN SL, ANYTHING GOES…EXTREMELY Sad situ. for the country !
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hela / November 18, 2013
Rajash,
It is called politics like the UK PM killing civilians elsewhere in the world and teaching human rights to Sri Lanka.
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Kalu Malli / November 19, 2013
First thing that came in to my mind too…..
What a weird country…politically that is !
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PalmSquirrell / November 18, 2013
Just another self serving no honor politician. I do not think it is possible for a relatively principled person to become mayor of Colombo.
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Safa / November 18, 2013
Being the Mayor of Colombo he cannot absent himself from this important occasion. Further he needs the help and corperation of the Govt to carry out his official function as Mayor. Boycotting is not an option for him which should be understod by the UNP LC.
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hela / November 18, 2013
What UNP did at CHOGM is same as their previous antics of equating Alimankada to Pamankada and Kilinochchi to Medawachchiya. In that process they ensured they will be in the opposition permanently.
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Yehiya / November 18, 2013
Colombo leadership must go to Hussain Mohammed.
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Jehan Usman / November 18, 2013
Oh really?
Give me single good reason as to why it should go to him?
Is it because once he was a mayor or his father was a minister?
What did he do to Colombo?
If only Gota wasnt a racist and narrow minded, he is an ideal person to be the President of this country.
Gota can turn this country up side down but he has other agenda regrettably.
Colombo needs an (Preferably Western educated or lived in a Western coutry for years) educated Mayor, it doesnt matter matter who.
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Max Silva / November 18, 2013
I am sure that the newly appointed leadership council led by that double crossing Judas Bodhisathwa Karu Jayasuriya ably supported by Kurundu Polu Mangala will do the needful.What is it this time?Last time it was assaulting Buddhist monks.I am sure that the leadership council will perform it’s Kangaroo courts act to the best of their abilities.May be the Hon chairman Karu will order the chief whip Mangala to beat the living daylights out of the Mayor using brand new Kurundu Polu!
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gamini / November 18, 2013
[Edited out] Max,
Without poking your nose in the UNP arse, why do not you mind your own business, putting your cent’s worth.
Why are your Balls scratching? If so get Jima to scratch as he is very good at the job, scratching MR’s all the time.
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Max Silva / November 19, 2013
Gamini,whats this edited out piece?I am not poking my nose.But it is my duty to ensure that the UNP survives.Myself being a democrat,feel strongly about a strong opposition.Of course my balls are scratching when i see the dire straits the UNP is in.But don’t worry Mangala is always there to scratch my balls.
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nirupaan / November 18, 2013
Should not give high posts to any Muslim in future. They are really THAMBI THOPPI. Sack this idiot from UNP and appoint a new Sinhala Mayor.
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Web / November 18, 2013
HaHa. We have seen so many politicians in all ethnicities. No one lives for policies but for money except TNA. Do you want a Sinhala Buddhist or Christian?
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Lanka Muslim, UKs / November 19, 2013
“THAMBI THOPPI” remark reflects your low racial mind. What will you remark when the Sinhala Mayor, as many other Sinhala politicians have done, changes his “….”. Leave it to you find the word as I do not want to be low minded as you are.
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Kalal / November 18, 2013
He is trying to make hay while the sun shine. I had lot of faith in this guy and supported 100%. Not any more. Just another gutter politician.
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K.A Sumanasekera / November 18, 2013
How bad is this Dude?
Hon Ranil one time Supremo bowed to the new Supreme Council and abstained.
At least that is what he implied, when he told reporters that,the Def Sec and the President both asked him to come, but the Supreme Council told him not to go and he obliged by staying home, perhaps watching Kuveni and Vijaya doing the Samba on big screen LED.?.
How tame has he become?
And the Muslim Muzamil defy the Supreme Council and attend the Meet.
How could he do that?.
Just imagine the punishment which the Supreme Council will mete out to this UNP stalwart, Mr Muzamil.
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PalmSquirrell / November 18, 2013
No mention of “Vellala” in your above post; what’s up with that.
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Jehan Usman / November 18, 2013
The President asked Ranil to attend was fine. But the Def sec?
Are you kidding K.A.S?
What should Ranil do you reckon?
when he was the leader you accused him. Now there is a coucil which had decided not to attend, right or wrong. Ranil had to obey the coucil decision. What do you want him to do.
Why dont you leave the man alone.
Since when Muzammil became a UNP stalwart.
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Hismail / November 18, 2013
The Mayor must have been heavily involved with the arrangements in the city in the run up to the CHOGM. Therefore, it was indeed nearly impossible for him not to show up at CHOGM opening and other related events. The Green Leadership Council must be considerate and prudently pardon him without creating additional difficulties for them.
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Fathima Fukushima / November 18, 2013
Well done Hon Muzammil.
Now Tamils will try to kill you.
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Jehan Usman / November 18, 2013
That’s what MR and Gota is doing in slow motion.
Are they Tamils?
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Lanka Liar / November 19, 2013
The Sinhalese will kidnap and kill. That is their humanitarian operation.
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ilyasfazly / November 18, 2013
The Mayor is just waiting for the wrong move by the elephant party to embrace the ruling clan ever since he was appointed by his weak kneed ruler….. Go on, leadership council! make his day come true !
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Hade Sheriff / November 18, 2013
Dont forget this Muzzamil is a addicted casino player for years, sometimes [Edited out]
Poor folks they quit .
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kamal / November 18, 2013
SLG could not get all the leaders to attend the CHOGM but at least they should have strive to get the other major parties to attend the opening ceremony (UNP,JVP and TNA). If SLG could not even get the local bodies to be represented how could one expect the CHOGM chair for next 2 years will uphold commonwealth values?
This is the same case as the foreign media, they were invited with a promise of free access and prevented with GOV Goons. UNP was invited and then set upon at Siri Kotata by BBS. Politics at it’s worst. We are showcasing to the world our level of unity!
This Chewing Gum has made mockery out of our country, huge some of money has been spent and wasted. There was hardly much coverage in the foreign media.
Now there will be intense lobbying among the VVIP and VIP’s to get their hand on one of the S Class MB. It’s not that hard to guess who is getting the ‘RR’. (There maybe another who thinks he should get it though !)
If I recall initially the story was the vehicles will be loaned for the event and returned back. Since we have few billion $ as excess in treasury they must have decided otherwise.
CB Governor NC should be given one of the top S class cars. That’s my recommendation.
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Sinhalaya / November 18, 2013
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Fathima Fukushima / November 19, 2013
SL won 2 free warships and a mayor!
Not bad for a 4 day show! Tamils can get back to howling.
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PalmSquirrell / November 19, 2013
old Patrol boats are not warships but you are prone to exaggerations and spin.
What is your spin on China telling Mara to cool it with the human rights violation; rather shocked coming from China as they never give a toss about human rights, especially not in a 3rd world tin pot dictatorship.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / November 19, 2013
Look back into the man’s history. Changing words, changing sides and colours are quite common. May be thinking of another change.
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Rajash / November 19, 2013
David Cameron fly a kite …A.J.M. Muzammil support Mahinda
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sarath / November 19, 2013
One can never trust a big time punter . He will always play for his own benefit. Anyway, I don’t fault the man for participating , as the Mayor of Colombo , he was obliged to .
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Wattilappam / November 20, 2013
Mayor by day and player by night
When Muzzamil does it
He is always right
Green by noon and blue in darkness
Has always been his main weakness
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