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by Ranjith Padmasiri

The Government is contemplating to establish District Councils with wider powers for each of the Administrative Districts to replace the present system of Provincial Council Administration.

Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Alick Aluvihare, elaborating on this issue states that the concept of Provincial Councils was first mooted out as a means of devolution of powers to solve the North East problem, but past experience has proved it to be defunct in the North East while in other parts of the country they have become white elephants serving no purpose.

The Minister explained that the intended District Councils will be a blend of the systems of old Village Councils and the present Pradeshiya Sabhas and that they will exercise extensive powers to carry out development activities free from hindrance and that they will transact affairs directly with the Central Government.

He said that legislations to bring about this change in the administrative structure will be introduced in Parliament in the near future and that until such bodies are set up the Government has no intention of dissolving the existing Provincial Councils.

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