CMC flags off 150th anniversary celebrations

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya addresses the media. Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil (right) is also present

A key focus of the Colombo Municipal Council’s 150th anniversary celebrations will be the International Mayor’s Forum, which will be held on 13 December at the Colombo Hilton Hotel. Many mayors and delegates from around the world will take part in discussions and presentations on future cities.

Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya will preside over the inaugural session while Minister of Megapolis and Western Province Development Patali Champika Ranawaka will present the keynote address and Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran will be a Guest Speaker at this event, according to Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil.

At a press conference held on 1 December at Colombo Mayor’s House, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Chief Minister Issru Thesapperiya and Colombo Mayor A.J. M. Muzammil spoke on the celebration.

The CMC will also be issuing a commemoration Rs. 500 coin and stamp, launch a coffee table book tracing the council›s heritage for the benefit of all stakeholders, hold a photography exhibition depicting the salient features of Colombo City and conduct a Mayor›s Cup football tournament as part of the celebrations. The football tournament will be conducted from 6-12 December.

The CMC will also be installing 120,000 house number plates on homes and offices within the municipal limits of Colombo. The landmark public-private partnership between CMC and Richardson will commence on 14 December, making an auspicious start, with the President and Prime Minister›s houses and offices being demarcated first.

Being one of the oldest municipal councils in the South and South East Asian region, CMC has been a forerunner in providing specialised and advanced modern urban utility services to the residents of the city Colombo.

Commenting on this historic occasion, Muzammil said the City of Colombo is reputed as one of the most advanced in terms of town  planning and urban services in the region and the credit for this with the CMC, which has soldiered on, despite various hardships, 

A colourful cultural pageant will also be held at the Town Hall premises on 14 December, depicting the multi-ethnic-background of Sri Lanka. During the pageant ex-presidents who were mayors, former mayors of the Colombo Municipal Council, and municipal councillors who are now holding prestigious Government positions will be felicitated. 

Close upon 1,000 employees who have completed 25 years with the CMC will be felicitated in respect of the yeomen services they have rendered to the council at a different event held especially for them.

Speaker Jayasuriya extended the Government’s heartiest wishes to the Mayor of Colombo and the CMC on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. “The council is the backbone of the City of Colombo and ensures that its machinery remains well-oiled at all times. CMC has delivered yeomen service to the city of Colombo and I exhort all citizens to join in to celebrate this joyous occasion of an urban council that has weathered so much history and growth to be at the pinnacle today.”