City decorations for Presidential Polls 2024: Do not touch Colombo without our permission – CMC warns candidates, parties

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Colombo Municipal Council yesterday warned legal action against any candidate or political party that would decorate city roads, streets or public places for any election related propaganda without their permission or paying due charges.   

   A top CMC official said that they have written to more than 80 political parties recognised by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka as soon as the ninth Presidential Election was declared on July 26th, and reminded to adhere to the regulations of the Election Law when it comes to decorating the capital with propaganda material.   

Commissioner CMC Bhadrani Jayawardena told the Daily Mirror that any candidate or political party who wishes to decorate the city should take necessary permission from them or such propaganda material would be removed with immediate effect and legal action would be sought.   

“The Election Commission gave explicit instructions when it comes to the polls propaganda material and we have written to the Secretaries of over 80 political parties about the regulations in decorating Colombo City,” Jayawardena said.   

She said when a candidate or party requests permission to decorate a public place like a public ground, a road or streets the CMC would handle the decoration work on their own to prevent any property damage was or accidents.   

“Some political parties request to do their own decorations but most of the time we encourage them to hand over the work to us as the outsiders might harm the city beautification efforts like plants and gardening or cause damage to the public property, the roads, buildings or vehicles as well as to the people.   

We will drill ground, erect flag poles and hoist flags, erect cutouts and other large banners or any propaganda material at places where public rallies are being held with the permission sought from both the CMC and Police. For these services there is a fee they have to pay,” the Commissioner said.   

She said compared to over 330 local government institutions countrywide, Colombo City, was beautifully maintained while most of the other areas are covered with posters and illegal poll decorations.   

The CMC had appointed an Operations Committee under Deputy Municipal Services Commissioner Engineering for this kind of work. According to the Election Commission the political parties could decorate only at their permitted party offices and rally sites.