Archives

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

A motion moved by the Western Provincial Council (WPC) member Anil Kumara Wijesinghe of the UNP requesting the WPC to propose to the Local Government Minister of the Central Government to grant a permit to every member of the Local Government Institutions to import a three wheeler at half of its cost was unanimously adopted by the WPC at its meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of this motion, Provincial Council members highlighted that there is an urgent need to grant the necessary facilities to the Local Government members to perform their duties. They have faced severe hardships in conducting their service at present.

Tabling the motion, Mr. Wijesinghe said that MPs and Provincial Councillors are provided with various facilities for public service. Double cabs are provided to the Local Government members who are closely associated with the public for discharge of their duties. But generally all of them do not possess vehicles. This can lead to an embarrassing situation.

He said that in the case of double cabs provided to the chairmen of the Local Government institutions, a majority of them are used for personal purposes. Government funds are used to maintain these vehicles.

Council Affairs Minister Nandana Mendis said only limited recognition has been given to the local government institutions which are considered as the starting point of local politics. Local government members are not granted any facilities like telephones. In this situation, it is difficult to find youth to contest the Local Government elections.

The Minister said the Central Government should focus much attention and give some incentives for these representatives who are in a very low socio-economic condition today.

Susantha Senanayake (UNP) said: "We should identify the present helpless situation of the local government members. Some justice should be done to these members by identifying the hardships encountered by them in this electoral system. Arrangements should be taken to protect the self respect of these local government members.

Lakshman Nipunaarachchi (JVP) said that there are some local government members who do not have money to buy even a pair of slippers. But some who entered polities by selling their houses have constructed two or three houses today. At present local government institutions are getting only commissions rather than doing public service.

He said the local government institutions should be transformed into institutions which offer an effective service to the public. A better environment should be created for local government members to perform their duties.

Almon Peiris (PA) said that amidst power cuts, a generator should be given to all local government and Provincial Council members to serve the public. A system should be introduced to have local government institutions at divisional level.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager