A single council vote has sparked swift disciplinary action, exposing internal party rifts and the high political stakes surrounding the Colombo Municipal Council budget.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress member of the Colombo Municipal Council, Zohara Buhary, has been suspended from the party with immediate effect after voting in favour of the CMC budget. The decision was confirmed in a formal letter issued by SLMC Secretary Nizam Kariapper.
According to the letter, the party leadership had clearly instructed all members to oppose the budget. Party leader Rauff Hakeem had conveyed this position during a group meeting that Ms. Buhary attended prior to the vote.
“It must be noticed that party leader Rauff Hakeem conveyed the decision of the party to oppose the budget at the group meeting which you attended. Despite being present at this meeting and being fully aware of the party position, you have acted in direct contravention of the instructions given by the party leader. Your conduct constitutes a grave and serious violation of party discipline and is viewed with utmost concern. In such circumstances I have been instructed by the party leader to inform you that your party membership is suspended with immediate effect,” the letter stated.
The suspension underscores the tightening of party discipline amid intense political maneuvering within the Colombo Municipal Council.
