US$.100 million loan by India has no strings attached: Dullas

• The government is determined to hold PC polls soon after the amendments are introduced to the Provincial Councils Elections Act
• President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had clearly indicated his determination to hold PC polls as early as possible

By Sandun A Jayasekera  

 US$.100 million loan pledged by India to Sri Lanka to develop the energy sector did not have any strings attached, detrimental either to the national interests or a demand to hold the Provincial Council elections within this year, Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Mass Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said yesterday.   

However, the government was determined to hold PC polls soon after the amendments were introduced to the Provincial Councils Elections Act, No 2 of 1988, he added.  Responding to a journalist at the weekly post Cabinet news briefing held last morning in virtual format, Minister Alahapperuma said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had clearly indicated his determination to hold PC polls as early as possible once necessary amendments to the PC’ electoral system were enacted.  

“It is an established fact that the Provincial Council system carries many shortcoming, disagreement and conflict though it was introduced to the Constitution with bona-fide intentions to fulfill the aspirations of the people in the North-East under the 13th Amendment, following the intervention of India. However, a number of problems cropped up and the objectives expected from the PC system were not realized in full when the PC system was put into action. That is why, all political parties including those in the North – East want to change the PC electoral system,” he stressed.

• It is an established fact that the Provincial Council system carries many shortcoming, disagreement and conflict