🚨 Colombo Municipal Council Budget Defeated! 🚨

• The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Budget has been defeated. • Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman claims the Joint Opposition will now take control of the CMC, reducing the Mayor to a figurehead. • Rahman stated the Opposition could have taken over earlier if the Mayoral election was an open vote, not a secret ballot. • Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazar urged councillors to examine their conscience, calling the vote a rejection of their own principles rather than the financial plan. • Despite the setback, the Mayor pledged to continue working with CMC members and staff.