'Repeal harmful clauses in 13th Amendment'

Beruwala Special Corr

The Provincial Councils set up under the provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution has rendered a vital service towards the people during the last 23 years. Therefore what ought to be done is to examine the clauses of the 13th Amendment and repeal the clauses harmful to the country and strengthen them rather than abolish the Amendment as a whole states Western Provincial Council member M H M Amjad in a statement issued yesterday.

The statement added that when one worked at the colossal service rendered by Provincial Councils towards the development of education, health, cultural and religious affairs, sports and the village sector, their services could never be underestimated.

It is the UPFA led by the SLFP which had controlled the Provincial Councils for nearly 17 to 18 years through their entire 23 year history. No responsible member of a Provincial Council could define the Provincial Council system as a white elephant.

Although certain politicians have taken up the 13th Amendment as a political topic for cheap publicity abolishing the 13th Amendment would cause Opposition among the majority of people who stood for devolution of power.