Sabaragamuwa Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa has issued an Extraordinary Gazette Notification, suspending the Chairmen of the Embilipitiya and Balangoda Urban Councils.
Embilipitiya Urban Council Chairman Lalith Dharmakeerthi and Balangoda Urban Council Chairman Chamika Wimalasena have been temporarily removed from their posts for three months until an investigation is conducted as to whether they are guilty of any wrongdoing. Governor Kobbekaduwa has appointed two retired High Court Judges to probe whether the two Chairmen have committed any wrongdoings under the Urban Councils Ordinance and submit a report within three months.
Both retired judges have been vested with the powers of a Commission of Inquiry to carry out the investigations.
The Deputy Chairmen of both Urban Councils have been temporarily vested with powers to oversee the Councils until the two investigations conclude.