2 September 2020 09:28 pm
Provincial Councils should not be abolished but must continue with proper devolution of power, two Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) seniors said today.
SJB member of Parliament Mayanatha Dissanayke and defeated Colombo District candidate of the party Hirunika Premachdara who came out with this proposal at a press conference said communalism-based politics could be ended if the government continue with the provincial councils after devolving power to them effectively.
"No one in the country feels that the national issue is resolved. It will be resolved if power is devolved to provincial councils effectively. Politicians such as C. V. Vigeneswaran could be silenced if this is done. The issue today is that improper devolution of power is used by various politicians for their survival. Therefore proper devolution would silence such politicians" Ms. Premachdara said.
She recalled that leftist politicians including her tale father Baratha Lakshman Premachdara welcomed provincial councils during the 1980s.
At the same time, Mr. Dissanayke said abolishing of provincial councils would be a difficult task given the attitude of India. "Provincial councils came into being as a result of the 13th amendment brought about as a result of Indo-Lanka accord. Therefore the ideology of India regarding the issue would certainly become significant" Mr. Dissanayke said. Also, he said Government should state as to what it's alternative would be as a solution to the national issue if it is going to abolish provincial councils. Mr. Dissanayake is the son of late Minister Gamini Dissanayake who was instrumental in discussing the issue of power devolution with India in 1987 to resolve the national issue. (Yohan Perera)