UNP unhappy over debate delay

24 March 2013 02:45 pm

UNP National Organiser and Member of Eastern Provincial Council Daya Gamage has protested against the postponement of a debate in the Council on a motion on lands in the East that were occupied by the security forces.

SLMC Member of the Eastern Provincial Council R. M. Anwer who was to present the motion in the Council told Daily Mirror that the matter was to be taken up at the Provincial Council sessions last week but decided to postpone the presentation of the motion following the advice of Chief Minister Najeeb Abdul Majeed.

Mr. Majeed had informed Mr. Anwer that the debate was unnecessary as a meeting had been arranged with the SLMC leaders and the divisional secretaries.

But the meeting which was to be held today with the participation of the SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem had been postponed as the divisional secretaries had wanted to attend the Deyata Kirula exhibition.

Daya Gamage said the Eastern Provincial Council was of no use if it failed to ensure a member’s right to express views on behalf of the people. “There is no other option, but to dissolve the Eastern Provincial Council he represents,” he said at the sessions of the Council last week.

The motion was to urge the military to return the civilian land it had acquired in the East during the war.

However Mr. Anwar decided to resolve the matter amicably with the authorities without creating chaos. (YP)