A new perspective as solution to North East problem

by Dr. Neville Fernando, Former Member of Parliament, Panadura & Kalutara District.

A raging debate is now going on the country as to whether Sri Lanka needs a Unitary or united Federal government to solve the problem in the North and East.

The promoters of the two views have their supporters and detractors. Therefore, the problem remains unsolved. No one so far has expressed a view that will meet the aspirations of all the Sri Lankans within a frame work of an undivided Sri Lanka where all citizens of whatever ethnicity or religion can live in any part of the country without fear, let or hindrance and with self respect.

The dispute today is between United Federal and Unitary Sri Lanka.

A better way is to consider Sri Lanka as a whole where all its citizens have equal rights and privileges.

I suggest the following solution for consideration by the Government of Mahinda Rajapakse to wit.

1. Sri Lanka is an island within 10 North latitude and 6 South latitude and by 80 Longitude and 82 and East Longitude.

2. The people of Sri Lanka consist of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays and several others. They have their own Identities, religion, language and culture.

3. The Sri Lankans worship different religions such as Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. All religions have equal status and the support of the government.

4. However, the religion of the Buddha has the foremost place and support of the Government.

5. Form of Government is a Republic with and elected President, 3 Vice Presidents according to ethnicity and a Parliament.

Election of the President

The President shall be elected by all the registered voters who are citizens of Sri Lanka or better still by Parliament. Today the Presidential candidate has to travel by helicopter from one end of the country to the others at considerable cost and risk. The elected President is under tremendous pressure by various groups who supported him financially or otherwise during elections. If the President is elected by Parliament it would be less costly both to the candidates and the country.

Election of MPs and PSs

The smallest unit of devolution is the Pradeshiya Sabha.

The electorate for a Pradeshiya Sabha will be the AGA's division. Each Pradeshiya Sabha will elect a certain number of members by voting. At the first meeting of the PS the members will elect a Chairman. Such elected Chairman automatically becomes the Member of Parliament for that electoral division.

Vice presidents

At its first meeting the members of Parliament will elect 3 Vice Presidents in such a manner that the Sinhala MPs will vote for the Sinhala Vice President, The Tamils will vote further Tamil Vice President and the Muslim MPs for Muslim Vice President.

There shall be a council for Tamil Affairs presided by the Tamil Vice President and the Council for Muslim Affairs presided over by the Vice President for Muslim Affairs.

While the whole parliament will vote as one in matters concerning the whole country the Tamil council and Muslim council will legislate for the good of their communities.

All motions passed by the two councils will be tabled in the House of Parliament, debated and passed as it is or with amendments, after discussion and agreement with the particular council. Such resolutions passed will be Law for the whole country.

Up to now all suggested means of devolution of power is at the periphery. It is a centrifuged power which can eventually lead to UDI and separation.

But if power can be shared and the centre the force will be centripetal and strengthen the country. Parliament will not have the power to reject enactments brought to the House by the Tamil Council or the Muslim Council, unless it does so with the consent of the Council concerned.

If the motions are not passed in the first attempt the same legislation should be taken up after one month and debated after which it will become Law.

Thus within the Island all citizens will be have equal rights and will be able to live with self respect. Sinhala, Tamil and English will be the official languages of Sri Lanka.

Any vacancy in the post of President will be filled by the Vice President who will command the majority of the votes of the members of Parliament at that time.

He/she will continue as the President for the balance period of the elected President.

The above is a basic plan which can be discussed, dissented amended and accepted.

This will allay the fears of the minorities that they are discriminated and are third class citizens.

Any violation of the laws passed by Parliament, Tamil council a Muslim Council will be subject to prosecution.

The power of the Pradeshiya Sabhas, Tamil Council and Muslim Council should be formulated by a constituent assembly. The two councils will have legislative powers.

Thus power is delegated at the centre and not at the periphery so that all divisive tendencies will cease.