Mayor refutes charges that stalls were being given to councillors & their friends

By Lahiru Pothmulla   

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake yesterday denied the allegations levelled by the traders at Colombo Manning Market that stalls at the new Manning Market, Peliyagoda would be given to members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and to their friends.   

Mayor Senanayake expressed these views during an inspection tour of the Colombo Manning Market yesterday.   
CMC sources said the Mayor has inquired into the allegations made by the Manning Market Traders’ Association that there was a move to provide 200 stalls at the new Manning Market Complex in Peliyagoda to Municipal Council members and their friends.   

During a discussion held with the Traders’ Association, the Mayor said she was an impartial mayor who pays no attention to party politics or other differences.   
“The political party to which the Manning Market Traders’ Association belongs to is not my concern. We are obligated to provide our service to all the people. If there was an issue regarding the Manning Market, the CMC should have been informed. I think it is an unwise move to worry the president over such issues. He already has a set of immense responsibilities to do to develop the country. The issue of Manning Market should have been discussed with the CMC. I feel the traders have some sort of a misunderstanding. That’s why I decided to have a discussion with you to clarify them,” she said.   

She also said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was implementing various projects to make Colombo a beautiful and eco-friendly city and that those who trade on pavements could be relocated in this process.   

“The opportunity will be given to all to conduct their businesses. The CMC will stand by the traders who have been trading for years and paid taxes and will fight for their rights. We have absolutely no intention to give the new Manning Market stalls to members of the council or to their friends,” she said.   

After the Easter Sunday attacks on April 21, Mayor Senanayake said many traders who traded in pavements became helpless.   
“Many of these people came to the CMC asking for a shop because their livelihoods had been affected. These markets are being built for the people like those and therefore, nobody has any right to sell these stalls for Rs. 1 million or Rs. 2 million. I think it is our responsibility to create an atmosphere where the traders can conduct business with all facilities and security,” the Mayor said.   

Municipal Commissioner Roshini Dissanayake, Chief Government Whip of the CMC, U.L. Titus Perera, CMC Traders’ Committee Members Dayakantha Perera, Sunanda Liyanage and Upul Wickremasinghe, the Heads of institutions, Municipal Councillors and many others were present on the occasion.     

We are obligated to provide our service to all the people. If there was an issue regarding the Manning Market, the CMC should have been informed. I think it is an unwise move to worry the president over such issues