Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman has alleged that the Government took certain measures to ensure the passage of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget at its second reading.

Commenting on today’s (31) vote, Rahman also noted that one SJB municipal councillor was absent during the voting process. He claimed that the councillor’s mobile phone had been switched off since yesterday (30), raising concerns over the circumstances surrounding the absence.

Rahman further said that the councillor in question had previously assured that he would definitely be present to cast his vote at today’s (31) budget vote. The CMC Budget 2026 passed at its second reading by two votes. Fifty-eight councillors voted in favor of the budget while 56 voted against. (Courtesy: Dinamina)