Fonds LK-NA/76 - Colombo Municipal Council

After the Rebellion of 1848 and a consequent inquiry by a Select Committee into its circumstances, Colombo was offered a Municipal Council in 1850. Sir Richard Morgan, Queen' s Advocate, drafted the Bill for the establishment of the Municipal Council. The first Council was constituted by the Ordinance No.17 of 1865. The first meeting was held on 16th January 1866. Thus the Colombo Municipal Council became the oldest of the twelve municipalities in this Island.
The limits of the Council were fixed by a proclamation dated 25th November 1865. The Colombo Municipal Council originally started with nine wards and today there are 47 wards. The Municipal Ordinance No.6 of 1910 extended the city limits and increased the number. Ordinance No.6 of 1935 divided the city into twenty wards, In 1943 this number was increased to thirty. the Delimitation Commission of 1958 created thirty seven. In 1963, there was a fresh delimitation by a ministerial order, and the number of wards was increased from thirty seven to forty seven. At present Colombo Municipal Council boundaries are to the North the Kelani river upto the Victoria Bridge to the South the Dehiwala Canal to the East Baseline Road, Wanathamulla Road, and Narahenpita, upto the Dehiwala Canal and to the West the Sea. The Council was responsible for the central and administration of matters relating to public health, public utility services, public thoroughfares and generally with the protection and promotion of the comfort, convenience and welfare of the people. These functions are exercised by the council through the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or any officers or Committees or the Municipal Commissioners.
Today, the Municipal Council Colombo, comprises the following Departments. Department of Indigenous Medicine, Treasury, Water Supply and Drainage. Assessors, Municipal Engineers, Public Health, Fire Services and Department of Charity Commissioners.