Prepare a New Proposal to rationalize the Provincial Council System
Provincial Councils Should Act to Improve the Living Conditions of the People
– Says the President at the Governors Meeting
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed the Governors to prepare and submit a new proposal aimed at rationalizing the Provincial Council mechanism.
The President also stated that, given the current government’s transitional period, the provincial councils must strive to deliver the best possible services to improve the living conditions of the people.
President Dissanayake made these remarks during a discussion held with the Governors this morning (22) at the Presidential Secretariat.
He urged the governors to engage in all possible economic and social initiatives to improve the living conditions of the public.
During the meeting, the President also highlighted the importance of establishing a new political culture and reiterated that the trust placed in him by the people should be fulfilled through effective action.
He reminded the Governors to avoid previous poor practices in the use of state assets and to remain committed to delivering quality public service.
Attention was drawn to existing vacancies in the health and education sectors under the Provincial Councils, with decisions made to find viable solutions.
The meeting included discussions on the lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces as well as finance.
Additionally, the President also made inquiries about the allocation of land to farmers in Kantale.
Participating Governors included Nagalingam Vedanayagam from the Northern Province, Champa Janaki Rajaratne from the Sabaragamuwa Province, Professor Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera from the Eastern Province, Kapila Jayasekera from the Uva Province, Bandula Harischandra from the Southern Province, Prof. Sarath Abeykoon from the Central Province, and Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri from the North Central Province.
https://pmd.gov.lk/news/prepare-a-new-proposal-to-rationalize-the-provincial-council-system/
- Full and proper implementation of the 13th Amendment of the constitution. Appropriate devolution arrangements for the Muslims and upcountry Tamils.
- The postponement of Provincial Council and Local government elections by the government is anti-democratic and denial of fundamental rights of the people. We demand immediate elections for these institutions. We call upon the government to make appropriate constitutional change that ensures to prevent recurrence of this in the future.
- Provincial council system, meaningful devolution to provinces, and holding elections regularly according to the constitution are essential to ensure
democratic structures in Sri Lanka. It also accelerates the economic development at the periphery. SDPT will endeavour to work with all democratic
parties, social and political activists in Sri Lanka to campaign for regular elections for all provinces. - SDPT will forge relationships and engage in united actions with all progressive and democratic parties in Srilanka working amongst the Tamil, Sinhala, Muslim, and Upcountry communities with the following objectives. Strengthening the Provincial governance, calling for the social and democratic rights for all communities, and to oppose any efforts that undermines the rights of the minority communities by the government and Sinhala and Tamil chauvinist parties.
- Prevention of Terrorism act which is in place for the last 46 years and should be abolished forthwith. We will also oppose similar acts in the future. Calling for the immediate release of all the political prisoners.
- The plantation workers who contributed immensely to the economy for the last two centuries still has no right to lands, economic security or even a postal address. Government should grant lands to these people without delay, so that they can build their lives independently.
- There should be constitutional guarantees to ensure that Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi -cultural and a multi-religious nation. It should not be a threat to any communities.
- The government’s priorities should be to guarantee that the basic need of every citizen is available at affordable prices. Education and health services should remain public service. Privatisation of these essential services will lead to the denial of the fundamental rights of vast majority of the people. There should be adequate welfare provision for the unemployed and the vulnerable sections of the society,
- The government should make it a priority to provide satisfactory social security to all working people in the agriculture, industrial and fisheries sectors.
- Government institutions and religious entities are engaged in a drive to acquire vast amounts of lands sometimes using security forces which is threatening the very existence and deprive the local people of economic opportunities. This land grab program particularly in the Northern and Eastern provinces should stop forthwith.
- Disproportionate presence and appropriation of vast lands by the security forces is a major cause for concern in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. This causes unwarranted suspicions, frustration, and unease amongst the local people. This is also impacting the community relations and a drain in the economy. We urge the government to take necessary measures to reduce the number of personals.
- The issue of disappeared persons during the long war continue to cause immense distress to the families of the victims. A closure on this issue is
essential for the reconciliation process. We call for appropriate legislative and institutional mechanisms to prevent such violations in the future. - Drug abuse is increasing in the recent past and destroying our social fabric. Measures need to be taken to increase the awareness in the community and special law and order measures needs to be taken to contain the situation.
- Cast discrimination in our society, particularly in the Northern Province is a curse and not less than the apartheid practice in causing misery and denial of rights and dignity. Awareness is needed amongst all communities and work towards building a social movement to combat this vestige of feudal societies of yesteryears. There is also a need for stringent legislations in place to punish those who promote such discrimination.
- Women in our society are subjected to various forms of persecution and discrimination. We need a powerful social movement to combat this. There is a need for strengthening the laws relating to equal opportunities and guarantee equal representation in elected assemblies and in state and private sectors.
- The increasing number of road accidents and number of deaths are a serious cause for concern. Measures needs to be taken to improve the standards of regulatory arrangements. There is also a need for coordinated actions by the relevant departments, and community organisations.
- Sri Lankan people were divided by the racist political forces from all communities. Thirty-year civil war further damaged the ethnic harmony. Since
the end of the war, there has not been any serious effort made to strengthen understanding amongst the communities or establish equality for all
communities. In recent times, there is also an effort by some sections from all communities to instigate religious conflicts. To combat this continuing trend all progressive forces and those who are committed to social equality should work together unitedly. - We acknowledge the aspirations of the people in the “Aragalaya” uprising. It was a movement primarily focussed against the corruption, nepotism in the ruling elite and the economic hardships faced by the people because of these. Despite its limited success the same corrupt ruling political classes retained the reins of the government. If corruption and misuse of powers of the rulers continue, it will be inevitable that there will be uprising again.
- In relation to the issue of bottom trawling and other methods of unlawful fishing practices that destroy the fishing stock in that region, should stop forthwith. The disputes between the fishing communities should be addressed through negotiations between all the stake holders. We urge the Tamil Nadu Government to take necessary steps to amicable settlements between fishing communities from both sides of the border. The issues about violating international waters, and the issue of Katchathievu should not be linked to the fishermen’s day to day life issues that will only further complicate the matters.
- In the present world order, rich gets richer and vast majority of the population suffer, hunger, poverty, unemployment, trapped in debt, and live in appalling conditions. This world order should be changed, and we aspire to establish a new world order that serves the interests of the suffering majority.
- It is a fact that the Palestinians are subjected to aggression and genocide by the Zionist regime. Several thousand Palestinians were killed since 1948. This conflict is affecting the whole of West Asian countries. We believe that the immediate halt of military aggression in Gaza and West bank and the recognition of two state solutions to bring permanent peace to the region.
- The earth is fast becoming uninhabitable because of the unresponsible exploitation of the environment by humans. Urgent measures need to be put in
place to protect the environment and there is a need to intensify awareness programs and collective direct actions, - Our party would endeavour to build strong working relationship and work in solidarity with all the people and organisations in the world which strive to
achieve peace, social equality, freedom, liberty, and fraternity, of mankind. We will seek to learn lessons from countries and governments and political parties which have committed to social democratic values and programs.
13th Amendment should be implemented in three steps: Douglas
Kelum Bandara Mirror on line (23-02-2023)
Some powers devolved to the Provincial Councils have been taken through actions by the executive arm or through administrative decisions. I am asking for the transfer of such powers back to the Provincial Councils as the first step
The TNA wants the problem unsolved. They work for it. The President openly said he is prepared to settle all the pertaining issues- political issues, land issues etc. We have to support him. But, the TNA is not cooperative
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda responds to questions from Daily Mirror on the move to implement the 13th Amendment and the fisheries issue involving India and Sri Lanka. Mr Devananda is the leader of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP).
Excerpts:
Q You have stood for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution right throughout. Now there are talks about moves to implement it in full. Do you believe it is a reality?
Starting from the very beginning, the Government and the Opposition, be it whatever party, have failed to see eye to eye on it. Two parties Governed the country from time to time. When one tried to implement it, the other side always stood in the way. That is the nature of southern politics.
I have said from the very beginning that the 13th Amendment should be implemented in stages. It is already part of our constitution. All the provinces in the country outside the North and the East enjoyed such powers devolved. When the conference of Chief Ministers took place in the past, they insisted on more powers. Some powers devolved to the Provincial Councils have been taken through actions by the executive arm or through administrative decisions. I am asking for the transfer of such powers back to the Provincial Councils as the first step.The President or the Prime Minister can do it by placing just their signatures. In the next stage, you can simply implement other powers. Only in the final stage, you can talk about the devolution of land and police powers to the Provincial Councils. Once there is consensus after reconciliation among all the communities, we can discuss the last stage. Today, everyone is confused about the last stage which I mentioned. We cannot implement the last stage immediately. That is why I said it could be done in three stages.
Through executive and administrative actions, the centre has wrongfully retracted powers over more than 30 years.
Q Do you remain positive that the 13th Amendment will be implemented this time in full?
The President is clear on it. At the all-party conference, almost all the parties agreed. I am going to hold talks with the Mahanayake Theras. Only the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is creating problems. The TNA wants the problem unsolved. They work for it. The President openly said he is prepared to settle all the pertaining issues- political issues, land issues etc. We have to support him. But, the TNA is not cooperative. They try to land the President in trouble so that the problem is not addressed. In 1990, I came to Sri Lanka with three things in mind. First, it was to join the mainstream. Then, I wanted to settle the problem through the Parliamentary system and reconciliation. I went to India in 1986. I entered mainstream politics and joined Parliamentary democracy. The LTTE and other Tamil parties went against this policy. They tried to assassinate me several times. My people were killed. Some were chased out of the country. They could not stop me. They tarnished my name. Today, the LTTE and its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran are no more. History has proven that my stand is correct. It is only becoming a reality. I am going to talk to the Mahanayake Theras. They will accept my position.
Q Recently, you met with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. What is India’s latest stand?
The 13th Amendment is their baby. India is vocal about its implementation. At times, India is silent. But, I have been persistent on this matter. When the Tamil parties went together to meet him, I went separately. He said this is the only way to settle the problem. The other parties agreed willingly or unwillingly.
Q What do you think is the role of India this time when other Tamil parties such as All Ceylon Tamil Congress try to stand in the way of implementing the 13th Amendment?
They all agreed with Dr Jaishankar. They submitted various proposals such as Federalism. But, Dr Jaishankar was categorical that the implementation of the 13th Amendment is the way forward in keeping with the situation of the country.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said he is prepared to address the problem within the contours of a unitary constitution. Federalism is anathema to the Sinhala people. Likewise, the unitary status is anathema to the Tamil people. That is the reality. I also believe we can find a solution within a unitary country (Ekiya Rajya). That is the practical and possible way. Even Prabhakaran could not achieve anything through other means.
Q My next question is about the fisheries issue with India. Different governments have tried to settle it, but the problem persists. It continues. In your view, why does the problem continue to be an irritant?
The problem has in fact aggravated now. We handle it in a few ways. One is the diplomatic approach. The other one is through legal action. Poaching in our waters is prohibited legally in terms of the law of the country. We arrest those poaching and produced them in a court of law. They can get bailed out, but their fishing equipment including boats are confiscated. I am going to hand over such confiscated boats to the local fishermen’s associations. Our boats are like auto rickshaws whereas their ones are like Elf trucks. When they operate their boats, our fishermen cannot go and fish. They destroy the fishing gear of our fishermen.
Then, there is the Joint Working Group. When the Indian External Affairs Minister came, I stressed the point that it should be addressed. Otherwise, it may lead to clashes between fishermen on both sides. Recently, the Indian Union Minister of Fisheries L. Murugan visited Sri Lanka. I discussed the matter with him. When President Ranil Wickremesinghe visits India, he will take up the matter. Earlier, Mr Murugan was the Tamil Nadu leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP).
Our issue is a justifiable one. There are proposals from their end. That is to give a license for them to fish here. I said no to bottom trawling. The sea bed of the Indian side is already destroyed. Now they come to our side. Fish have no passports. They move freely. If Indian fishermen destroy our side too, there won’t be fish for both sides.