'Minorities should not fear abolition of PCs'

Rasika Somarathna

The time has come to have a serious rethink of the provincial council system as it has failed to address the needs of the people, Environment and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Abdul Cader said yesterday.

He said, the PC system has so far been responsible for high spending and complex governance structures that has imposed a burden on people.

Describing the PC's as a 'white elephant', the Deputy Minister noted that monies utilised to run the PC's could be used to boost development.

He noted that, minorities too should not fear the abolition of the provincial councils (which came into being as a part of the 13th Amendment to the constitution), as it has failed to address their needs.

He said the country does not need devolution if it paves way for further division and called for a mechanism that would unify rather than divide.

He noted that the firm decision taken against tremendous odds by the President had helped to defeat terrorism which plagued the country for 30 years.

Addressing the media, Cader said the time has come to take such a firm decision on the 13th Amendment as well for the greater good of the nation.