Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazar on Saturday detailed the process behind the preparation of the Colombo Municipal Council’s 2025 budget, which is set to be resubmitted for a second reading on Dec. 31 after it was defeated during a council vote on Dec. 22.
In a statement issued following the setback, the mayor said the budget was not merely a collection of figures but a document reflecting the council’s performance and outlining development plans for the coming year. She noted that the 2023/24 period saw no elected council, with municipal administration carried out under a commissioner system, making the preparation of the current budget more complex.
Despite the defeat at the council meeting on Dec. 22, the mayor said the administration remained committed to presenting a transparent and people-oriented budget.
She said the budget formulation process began within weeks of the new council being appointed, with all 16 municipal institutions requested in July to submit proposals. The window for submissions remained open until August. In addition, councillors from both the governing side and the opposition were invited to submit proposals, all of which were considered without political distinction and assessed on public interest.
For the first time, written proposals were also sought from municipal employees, a move the mayor described as a step toward a new political culture within the council.
She said the most difficult phase involved assessing financial feasibility and reaching consensus on funding requirements. These discussions continued until November, followed by reviews to correct omissions and ensure accuracy.
The draft budget was subsequently reviewed by 23 standing committees, with participation from both government and opposition councillors. It was also made available for public inspection for seven days, with notices published in all three official languages in accordance with legal requirements. Copies were placed at the public library and the municipal treasury.
Following further scrutiny by two finance committees comprising members from all parties, revisions were made to the proposals, the mayor said.
The budget, which failed to secure approval at the Dec. 22 council meeting, will now be resubmitted for consideration at the second reading scheduled for Dec. 31.
Reaffirming her administration’s stance, the mayor said the goal of building “a prosperous city and a better quality of life” for Colombo’s residents would remain unchanged despite the initial defeat. (Newswire)
