Govt has not decided deadline for PSC activities - Minister

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

‘Thirteen Plus is correct and accurate. The meaning of Thirteen Plus is establishing a Senate. The entire thirteenth amendment is a vast decentralization of powers. There is no big issue when it comes to decentralizing land powers, but, there is a serious issue on the system of devolving Police powers. Therefore, the question is what is wrong with discussing this single issue in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC)’, Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday, Minister Rambukwella said that it is questionable whether the devolution of land and Police powers are actually wanted by the ordinary people living in the North and East or a few politicians. The most important fact is acting in the best interest of the country. The government has not decided a deadline for PSC activities because it has no intention to take a decision alone, stating that there are no participants in the PSC from other political parties. The government will not be responsible for any delay or dragging its feet on the process. Absence of deadlines has done good things so far. One such positive sign is now there are two sides in the TNA, UNP and in the JVP which thinks that they should take part in the PSC and should not take part.

According to Minister Rambukwella, Sri Lanka needs a local model of decentralization of power invented by Sri Lankans. There are many models in the world in countries, such as, India, Switzerland etc.

The population of Mumbai is much higher than the entire population of Sri Lanka. India changed its constitution more than 200 times.

The most important thing is the requirement of the people of the specific country. Not like in India, the Sri Lankan President is elected by the votes of the people who belong to many political parties and ethnicities.

Therefore, there cannot be anything wrong in discussing the matter in Parliament through the PSC where the entire country is represented.

The proposed Senate is not something new. It was proposed two years ago during President Mahinda Rajapak'sa's visit to India. President Rajapaksa held discissions with the Indian Prime Minister and Indian Opposition Leader. The senate was proposed during the discussions in order to strengthen the bond between the central government and the provincial councils and to establish better coordination and understanding without any feelings or acts of tug-of-war between the centre and provinces, minister Rambukwella said.