The city of Colombo is the center of economic and commercial activities of the country. It has a residential population of 645,000 and an area of 37.4 square kilometers. It has the country's major port and a network of transportation routes converging into the city from the rest of the country. The Colombo Municipal Council represents the local government tier of the administrative set up of the country having three levels and has close links with its resident population and also a daily transient population of around 400000. The council is a democratic institution with its members being elected every four years. The Mayor is the head who is nominated from the elected councilors. The administration of the council consists of a hierarchy of officials and workers and 16 standing committees of councilors who cover separate issues and advise the council accordingly. The council holds itself as the most intimate representative of the people of the city and has different modes through which it maintains a dialogue with city dwellers.