10 May 2023 09:27 am Views - 97
By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Pushpakumara Jayaratne
Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana (SLPP), has been sacked from office and membership of the council over allegations of corruption against him by the North Western Province Governor Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda.
The Governor said that the investigation had revealed that Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana was found guilty of 11 charges out of 18 corruption charges brought against him.
An extraordinary Gazette had been issued by the Governor in this regard.
The Governor earlier this year issued a Gazette notification announcing that the Kurunegala Mayor was deemed to have resigned as Kurunegala Mayor, with effect from Dec 31, 2022, due to his failure to secure approval for the 2023 Budget.
On November 9, 2022, Karannagoda appointed retired Judicial Officer Lalith Ekanayake to conduct an inquiry to investigate corruption at the Kurunegala Municipal Council during the tenure of Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana.
Former NWP Governors Peshala Jayaratne, and A.J.U.M. Muzammil were among those who testified before the commission. He said that in accordance with the powers vested on the Governor of the Province, Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana had been removed from the position of Mayor of the Kurunegala Municipal Council and as a member of the council with effect from 31.12.2022. in accordance with the powers vested on the Governor of the Province, Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana had been removed from the position of Mayor of the Kurunegala Municipal Council and as a member of the council with effect from 31.12.2022