High powered Greater Colombo Metro. Corp. to help key city LGs

In a bid to improve ease of business, Cabinet has given approval for the Government to set up a Metropolitan Corporation for the Greater Colombo core area.

Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told media yesterday that Cabinet on Wednesday decided to establish an organisation named Colombo Metropolitan City Corporation with a view to assist the five local bodies in the city region.

This will include Colombo Municipal Council, Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council, Sri Jayewardenepura-Kotte Municipal Council, Kolonnawa Urban Council and Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha.

In spite of the fact that the new corporation is to be established to streamline the local administration and build their capacity and capabilities with required powers, the existing five local bodies will continue to function, the Cabinet paper noted.

“The City Corporation will be headed by a City Governor appointed by the President and all heads and the deputy heads of the said five local bodies and a nominated member from the opposition of each local authority will constitute the composition of this corporation.

Twelve advisory committees comprising of elected members of local bodies will also be set up to advice the corporation. This will enable the ruling and the opposition members as well to play a participatory role in exercising the powers of the new corporation in more democratic manner,” the Minister said.