12 June 2023 09:09 am Views - 92
By Yohan Perera
Colombo Municipal Council ( CMC) had failed to collect Rs. 6200 million which was due as revenue, it was revealed at a recent meeting of the Committee on Public Accounts ( COPA). It was revealed that 5000 owners of lands whose rates are more than Rs 100,000 have defaulted payments.
CMC officials who attended the meeting said it has managed to take steps to collect arrears from some rate payers. The officials said the council could not collect any rate payments from defaulters during 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. Also it was said that there are only 25 assessors of rates though it has been approved for 39 assessors.
CMC officials said the council. has been able to increase its revenue by Rs 400 million in 2022.
It was further revealed that some 38 private organizations which have been given contracts for collecting parking fees have held back Rs 265.5 million in 2022.
COPA which took CMC for a task instructed the Municipal Council authorities to come up with a report on revenue collection before July 8 2023.
It was also decided that COPA would meet on June 21 2023 for a discussion on Colombo city’s drainage system.