Tensions at urban councils over passage of 2021 budget

COLOMBO (News1st): Tense situations arose at the urban councils at Ampara and Balangoda after their budgets for 2021 were passed without a vote on Monday. Councillors at the Ampara Urban Council raised stiff objection against its chairman for declaring the passage of the budget after the second reading. The budget had been defeated after the first reading on November 12 with six votes in favour and 12 votes against, "The budget has been presented again after passing the relevant amendments. Therefore, I declare that the 2021 budget ... has been passed," Ampara urban council chairman Jaminda Sugath declared. The councillors then obstructed officials from leaving the urban council prompting police officers to arrive at the location. Meanwhile, tensions also arose at the Balangoda Urban Council after its chairman announced that the budget has passed despite it being defeated for the second time on Monday. Only one vote had been cast in favour of the budget while 9 votes were cast against. The budget that was initially defeated on the 4th of December, was tabled again after making the relevant amendments.