CMC says 450,000 in the city don’t pay taxes
Former Mayor Omar Kamil
The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is struggling to finance itself as 450 000 people within the Colombo city limits fail to pay their taxes according to Former Mayor Omar Kamil.
Speaking at a media conference to launch a Colombo city beautifying project in the next 100 days CMC Chief City Administrator Omar Kamil pointed out that out of the total of 650,000 residents living in Colombo, 450,000 do not pay tax to the CMC which makes it harder for the development of the city. He also noted that there is Rs.3 billion of outstanding tax which is “owed by the government, semi government sectors as well as by the private sector for a period of a decade,”
He emphasised that with the garbage problem being literally cleaned up, following his taking of office the next task on the agenda was to look at turning Colombo into one of the most beautiful cities in South Asia.
“I took over duties at the CMC on July 15 where just after 50 days there was a huge change in the city of Colombo. At present we have made arrangements to remove garbage in the city between 7.00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. each day,” he said adding that they are looking forward to making a new culture in keeping Colombo city clean. “There are 400,000 people who are living in less developed areas in the Colombo city and 250,000 more residing in developed areas,” said Kamil calling on all of them to involve themselves in the city beautifying project.
The Chief City Administrator stated that they are hoping to deliver printed leaflets to every household by the middle of next month where if anyone seeks any kind of assistance by the CMC they could directly contact the necessary body who is in charge of it.
The new renewing programme includes a new synchronised traffic control system for the first time in the city. “We have already started this system at the Ayurvedic junction in Rajagiriya and we are looking forward to expanding it to the D.S. Senanayake junction, the drive way from Kynsey Road to Horton Place, Wijerama Mawatha to Horton Place, along with many others.”
By Sarashi Samarasinghe
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