Longest budget meeting

N. J. Fonseka, Avissawella Group Correspondent

The Seethavakapura Urban Council created history when it held the longest meeting during the 2008 budget debate recently.

The meeting was presided by Chairman Premalal Pinto. The budget meeting started at 10 a.m. and continued till 9.30 p.m. The Seethavakapura UC Chairman said that he was happy to present his second budget after 28 years of UNP administration.

He said that they had fulfilled almost all the promises given in the last budget. Of the proposed development projects they were able to construct a crematorium which cost Rs. 4.8 million together with several roads and town development projects.

He said that an e-library will be set up and attention will be paid to Health and Social Welfare activities. The anticipated income is Rs. 85,524,800 and the expenditure is Rs. 85,523,100 and the surplus is Rs. 6,700. A significant event at this meeting was the JVP member voting with the ruling.

The budget was passed by a majority of three with seven members voting in favour of the budget and four against.