Colombo MC Commissioner transferred to PM’s Ministry

• Commissioner challenges transfer, says will take legal action
• One Councillor says Meethotamulla tragedy prompted the transfer 
• Commission recommended compensation should be demanded from officials 

By Yohan Perera   

Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), V. K. Anura has been transferred as an Additional Secretary to the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Northern Development and Youth Affairs held by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.   

However, speaking to the Daily Mirror METRO, Mr Anura said that he would file legal action against the transfer and would also make an appeal. He alleged that a certain senior Government official was behind the transfer.   

“My transfer is an act of revenge by this senior official. He influenced me not to charge taxes from meat stalls and to transfer a certain land in Colombo to one individual. He is the one who got me transferred as I have refused to carry out his requests,” Mr Anura said.   

My transfer is an act of revenge by this senior official. He influenced me not to charge taxes from meat stalls and to transfer a certain land in Colombo to one individual. He is the one who got me transferred as I have refused to carry out his requests...

However, SLPP member of the CMC, Sharmila Gonawala said the transfer of Mr Anura was connected to the Meethotamulla Tragedy of 2017.   

“The Presidential Commission had found the Commissioner responsible for the tragedy and the transfer of the Commissioner is to do with this issue. The Presidential Commission had recommended that compensation should be demanded from the Council officials who have been found to be responsible for the tragedy,” Ms Gonawala said.   

Meanwhile, Mayor Rosy Senanayake said she had nothing to do with the transfer as it had been done by the Public Services Commission.   

“It is the PSC that has the final say on the transfers of Public Officials and CMC has nothing to do with it,” she said.   The Daily Mirror METRO also learnt that that former Secretary of the WPC Lalith Wickramaratne had been appointed as the new Commissioner of CMC.   

The Presidential Commission had found the Commissioner responsible for the tragedy and the transfer of the Commissioner is to do with this issue. The Presidential Commission had recommended that compensation should be demanded from the Municipal Council