• Gen. Secy claims ‘ridiculous’ to discuss devolution when PCs are non-functional

Claiming that it is ridiculous to discuss devolution of power, when the Provincial Councils (PC), a key feature in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, are not functioning, the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Party stated that the Government should either abolish PCs, or formally establish them.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that he would resolve the issue of the minorities, particularly the Tamil community, through devolution and the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. He recently held a series of meetings with Parliamentarians representing the Tamil community to discuss these matters.

When contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the stance of the SLPP on the matter, SLPP General Secretary and MP, Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam said that what needs to be done first is either to abolish the PCs through the necessary Constitutional amendments, or to formally establish them. "It was then Prime Minister and incumbent President Wickremesinghe who destroyed the PCs. When the PCs are not functioning, the powers are vested with the Governors, and they are appointed by the President. In such a background, what is the benefit of discussing all these solutions? It is merely a joke."

Wickremesinghe has been pledging to resolve the issues faced by the Tamil community, particularly in the North and the East, and the estate sector workers. The frequent issues that they face include the occupation of their lands by military forces and State Departments, and the non-implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. As solutions to such, the Tamil community and their political representatives have been demanding devolution, and the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.