Govt’s stance on Land and Police powers:
Minister Basil to apprise India
Disna Mudalige
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa would apprise the
Indian government high ranking officials on Sri Lankan government’s
stance on police and land powers and the reasons behind that stance,
Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.
He said the discussions will be held at diplomatic level with the
Indian government officials involved in decision making.
Addressing the Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry auditorium
yesterday, the minister said the government’s stance is that some kind
of amendment is needed to the powers vested upon the Provincial
Councils.
“The Sri Lankan government scientifically evaluated the situation,
and found that police and land powers had to be revisited, and it is
common courtesy to inform India over this position, since it stemmed out
of the Indo- Lanka Accord. On that basis, a member of the Cabinet
nominated and designated by the President is visiting India to inform
and discuss the position of the Sri Lankan government in this regard”
the minister said. The minister said the land and police powers and
merger and de-merger are the main concerns of the Sri Lankan government
with regard to the 13th Amendment.
“We feel that the time is ripe for us to revisit those areas and make
the suitable arrangements. This will be proceeded through the Parliament
Select Committee (PSC)” he said.
He further observed that no President for the past 25 years had been
able to initiate this move. He observed even Police and Land powers had
been there for the last 25 years, those were neverimplemented, and
thereby the new amendments once they become effective would be a further
strength to the Provincial Councils.
Government Information Department Director General Prof Ariyarathna
Athugala and News Director Wasanthapriya Ramanayake also participated. |