Feb 16 (IL) The ongoing squabble between the Colombo Municipal Council's Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) is likely to end, following UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's mediation, the SLMC said yesterday.
Deputy Mayor Azath Sally and 6 SLMC Councillors obtained a stay order restraining Mayor Gunawardena and Municipal Committees from functioning. The SLMC last week alleged that election of MMCs to various committees was handled in an inappropriate manner.
An SLMC statement yesterday stated, "The SLMC Colombo District Organiser Shafeek Rajabdeen was reliably informed that an internal settlement between the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor has been initiated by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe with an understanding that the SLMC's and the Deputy Mayor's status quo will be restored."
"Pending settlement, court kept the action open until a final settlement is reached. In the event of non-compliance, this matter can proceed further. Spokesman for the Mayor, Shirley Fernando is also reported to have confirmed that a settlement will be reached within the course of this week," the statement added.
The SLMC, an ally of the UNP, last week threatened to sit with the Opposition if the UNP failed to sort out its internal problems while the SLMC was not included in the Financial Committee.
