The Colombo Opposition Leader played an underhand game to win the election.

Mr. Riza Sarook, the Leader of the Opposition of the Colombo Municipal Council, commented on today's (31st) budget vote as follows: "Today, the ruling party won the Colombo Municipal Council budget for the year 2025.

Regarding that, we have something specific to say. Today, one of our honorable councilors was taken from his home early in the morning by the Narahenpita Police and detained. Later, our ministers and MPs intervened and spoke, and he was given the opportunity to come just before the vote at the last moment. He was able to cast his vote. Also, two other councilors are missing. Even if we went to their homes and checked, they were not there. Their phones are also inactive. So, we lost two votes there as well.

Furthermore, another councilor's wife unfortunately suffered a sudden heart attack, and her condition became very critical, so he had to leave, setting aside the vote. That is a very unfortunate situation. Also, an honorable councilor who was with us in the joint opposition voted with the ruling party. So, we can imagine what has happened here. However, due to what they did, we also had certain discussions that we couldn't carry out. We also wanted to finish the vote quickly and leave. Because that councilor's wife is in a critical condition. And we cannot reach those two councilors. Their phones are still inactive. We can't find out what happened.

Yes, well, this is how it is: 'coordinating' means we didn't go to homes, follow councilors, and provide security like the others. However, we have received information that the honorable councilors of the NPP (National People's Power) themselves have been protected by providing security until 10-11 PM at their homes, deploying intelligence units, and their own intelligence service. There's no problem with that.

So, that's why we trusted our people. That's not the problem here. We will reveal whatever game has been played here in the future. Therefore, we are not shaken; we have the majority.

We would like to remind you what the honorable Mayor stated when the budget was defeated for the first time. She said, "Knock on your conscience and see." We now ask today, just as we did then, whether she obtained the majority today in accordance with her conscience, or if she can be asked to knock on her conscience and inquire.

Therefore, we are not shaken. As a united opposition, we will fulfill our true role for the people of Colombo. We did not lose today because we lacked a majority. This defeat occurred due to the absence of certain councilors. Therefore, we will continue to maintain this majority and carry out our activities. Because even if we defeated the budget today, the Mayor will not go home. According to the existing law, even if the budget is defeated, the Mayor remains in office. So, we don't need to be overly concerned. We would like to ask her to knock on her conscience and inquire how they obtained the majority today. Thank you very much.

I believe it's Councilor Duhara. An honorable councilor representing the Muslim Congress. We highly respect her. It's a question why she suddenly cast her vote in this manner. Because we don't have a situation where we go to someone's house, sit down, follow them, and say "give your vote." That's democratic. Therefore, she needs to understand that she was appointed to a bonus seat she received. She was appointed because the party trusted her and the party leader trusted her. She has acted as someone who betrayed the party leaders. In any case, we will get that vote in the future."