Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S. M. Marikar has demanded the immediate resignation or dismissal of Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazar following severe urban flooding across the capital.
Speaking in his capacity as a member of the Disaster Management Council on Sunday (08), the opposition lawmaker asserted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake must step in to remove the civic leader if she refuses to step down voluntarily.
He highlighted that the Department of Meteorology had issued advance warnings regarding heavy El Nino rainfall expected during October and November.
Marikkar said that timely maintenance of city drains and culverts would have entirely prevented Friday’s widespread inundation.
He pointed out that major public institutions, including the Colombo National Hospital, remained unaffected during historical weather events such as the record 400mm rainfall in 1992.
He noted that even the Mayor's own electoral ward of Jawatte had suffered flooding during the recent deluge.
Marikkar also said that the Colombo Municipal Council had failed to protect local business communities, drawing a contrast with the administration of former mayor Muhammed Uvais Emitiyas.
He further claimed that opposition members of the municipal council were completely excluded from recent post-disaster administrative meetings.
