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By Yohan Perera in Jaffna
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the UNP led-alliance has not signed any covert or overt agreement with any party in the north.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi decides to support Sajith : PM
Prime Minister Wickremesighe made this remark at a rally in Kytes shortly before the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) announced its decision to support the UNP –led New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa.
“We have not got into a secret or an open agreement with any party. We have nothing to hide,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.
“A future government of NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa will only devolve power as it is stated in his election manifesto. Accordingly power will be devolved to the provinces based on the proposals which came out during the terms of late President R. Premadasa, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. We will do so after discussing it with all the parties. SLPP cannot say we are betraying the nation as power will be devolved based on proposals which came up during the tenure of its leader,” he said.
“Our government could not enact a new constitution because we did not have a majority. Therefore we ask the people to give a sufficient mandate to all the parties which is in favour of a new constitution at the next general election,” he added.
The Prime Minister said a future government of Mr. Premadasa will introduce a Senate which will comprise provincial council representatives. He said 25 percent of the Senate will be women. In addition he said 25 percent of the National List members will also be women in the future under a new constitution.
Also, he said India had agreed not to allow the South Indian fishermen to come into Sri Lankan territories and therefore the fisheries issues will be resolved.
Minister of Fisheries Agriculture and Rural economy P. Harrison also pledged to resolve the issues faced by the Northern fisheries.
Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ravi Karunanayake said steps would be taken to employ Tamil people to read electricity meters in the Northern households in the future. He said 40 persons have already been employed as meter readers.
Deputy Minister Vijeayakala Maheshwaran said people in the North does not want to live in fear any more. She said people in the North does not want night curfew.” Vote for peace at the presidential elections,” she said.
Caption: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in rallies in Kilinochchi and Kytes in the North yesterday November 3 2019 where he pledged to devolve powers to the provinces on the basis of proposals that came out during the tenures of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Former Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said the UNF led alliance have not got into any agreement with any political party.
Prime Minister Wickremesighe made this remark at a rally in Kytes shortly before the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) announced its decision to support the UNP –led New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa.
“We have not got into a secret or an open agreement with any party. We have nothing to hide,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said. “A future government of NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa will only devolve power as it is stated in his election manifesto. Accordingly power will be devolved to the provinces based on the proposals which came out during the terms of late President R. Premadasa, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. We will do so after discussing it with all the parties. SLPP cannot say we are betraying the nation as power will be devolved based on proposals which came up during the tenure of its leader,” he said. “Our government could not enact a new constitution because we did not have a majority. Therefore we ask the people to give a sufficient mandate to all the parties which is in favour of a new constitution at the next general election,” he added.
The Prime Minister said a future government of Mr. Premadasa will introduce a Senate which will comprise provincial council representatives. He said 25 percent of the Senate will be women. In addition he said 25 percent of the National List members will also be women in the future under a new constitution. Also, he said India had agreed not to allow the South Indian fishermen to come into Sri Lankan territories and therefore the fisheries issues will be resolved.
Minister of Fisheries Agriculture and Rural economy P. Harrison also pledged to resolve the issues faced by the Northern fisheries.
Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ravi Karunanayake said steps would be taken to employ Tamil people to read electricity meters in the Northern households in the future. He said 40 persons have already been employed as meter readers. Deputy Minister Vijeayakala Maheshwaran said people in the North does not want to live in fear any more. She said people in the North does not want night curfew.” Vote for peace at the presidential elections,” she said.
Pic By Pradeep Pathirana.