The second reading debate of the Horana Urban Council budget was held yesterday (23) under the chairmanship of Council Chairman Anil Indika.

Opposition councillors have alleged that the budget was passed solely with the participation of members of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP), without the presence of the opposition.

According to the opposition, although the vote was scheduled to commence at 10.00 a.m., an amended budget was presented at 9.55 a.m., following which only six ruling party councillors voted to approve it before leaving the council chamber. They further alleged that the time on the clock was subsequently altered in a fraudulent manner to justify the passage of the budget, prompting them to lodge a complaint with the Horana Headquarters Police.

Responding to the allegations, Horana Urban Council Chairman Anil Indika Premasiri said the budget was presented at the scheduled time and that no opposition councillors were present in the chamber at that moment. He added that a quorum was in place when the vote was taken, noting that all six NPP councillors were present, enabling the budget to be lawfully approved.