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Last Updated : 2024-03-29 00:02:00
The Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Karunarathna Paranawithana in an interview with the said that the Ministry was keen on introducing a community governance system where community actively participated and said the Provincial Council system had to be upgraded in order to maximise its efficiency. He added the next Provincial Council elections would be held under the mixed system.
As the Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils (PC) and Local Government, do you think we still need Provincial Councils as there are many criticisms alleging that PCs are white elephants?
My humble opinion is that it is part of the law, part of the Constitution and part of the administrative system in Sri Lanka. Even though it was introduced as a solution for the ethnic question in this country now it has been properly established. Yes, there are questions against the PC system. However as a country we are not in a position to abolish. It will create many problems. To a certain extent now the PCs are handling a significant workload. The country is getting used to devolution and a friendly governance system. In that case we have to think positively about the PC system and upgrade it and get the maximum service out of that by maximizing the efficiency and fighting corruption, waste and bad political culture.As you see, what are the areas that need improvisation in the PC system under this Ministry?
This ministry is not only about PCs we have another arm called Local Government bodies. We are handling both. Before the former was introduced in 1987, the Local Government system was established during the colonial period with the introduction of the Donoughmore Constitution. It was widely recognized and accepted that this country needed a wider spread Local Government system, and we have experienced several models in this country. The country has become a laboratory for Local Government. We have tested several models. Under the present system we have three local bodies. Which are Municipal Councils, Town Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas. The part which is the absence of a proper system is there is no proper structure for the community to involve itself directly in the Local Government. Of course in Parliament, people cannot directly get involved. That is why you need a representative. But when it comes to the grassroots level there is no reason to avoid direct participation of the public.Most of the PCs are to be dissolved and elections to be held early next year. Are the elections going to be held under a new system?
According to the law, now the system is a collaborative system proposed under the Local Authorities Election (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 2012 .Under this Act, we have to conduct elections. Basic features of this are introduction of the ward system, that is single member constituency system. It has been there earlier but later on we converted to the proportional representative system. Now with the enactment of this law it is suggested to create wards for each and every local body. We are about to create more than 5000 wards. Seventy percent of the representatives will come from wards. We would be maintaining the present PR system for thirty percent.You are someone who vehemently opposed about bringing the death sentence. But considering the recent incidents, do you still believe we shouldn’t bring it?
I strongly believe that we should not bring it. If you look at the principle of punishment, there are four aspects. One is prevention of crime. Second is to isolate the offender from society. The third principle is that the rehabilitation of the offender, and the fourth is revenge. The civilized world does not believe in the fourth principle. My humble opinion is life imprisonment is the best punishment. Thereby we isolate the offender from society and we still keep him behind the gate and rehabilitate, and it could be a measure to prevent crime.What is your opinion about the prison system of the country?
Very pathetic. That is why we have a Ministry for reforms. The Government has paid attention to upgrade the prison system but still we need fresh knowledge, new attitudes and many other things.You were one of those who actively participated in bringing this Government in to power. At the beginning, it vouched for a new system. But it too has a large number of Ministers. What are your views on this?
It depends on the mandate given at the last elections. At the beginning both the President and the Prime Minister had proclaimed before the public that there would be a National Government, the current one. Then Constitution enabled that kind of National Government to have a jumbo Cabinet. However, there is a difference compared to the MR regime. We are going to introduce Independent Commissions. The political culture is different. People who robbed this country are being questioned. President and the PM are watchful about how the Government runs. Even though we have a jumbo Cabinet,the modus operandi is totally different when compared to the previous Government.The former regime was blamed for their lavish expenses. But now there is a criticism on the amount spent on renovating the Presidents’ house. What is your opinion?
The President needs a proper place to live in. If you go to Pageant road, it is a simple house. If you look at former President Rajapaksa, he had a big mansion in Jaffna as well. He was occupying two mansions. They spent 160 million rupees to build their parents’ statues, but President Sirisena is not doing that. He just occupies a simple residence. He is using that for official functions, and has said after his retirement he will not stay and go back to Polonnaruwa. He has a very simple house. I am truly confident that President Sirisena is not robbing this country and will never do so.Add comment
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