Presidential candidates urged to abolish Provincial Councils

19 February 2024 02:17 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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Colombo, Feb. 19 (Daily Mirror)- An organization called the “Lankalokaya” headed by incumbent Southern Province Governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena’s son Pasanda Yapa Abeywardene today presented a proposal to all candidates of this year’s Presidential election urging them to abolish the Provincial Councils.

The organisation proposed to abolish Provincial Councils and set up district councils while strengthening the Pradeshiya Sabhas instead.

“Our intention is to present a proposal to all candidates of this year’s Presidential election asking them to abolish the Provincial Councils, set up District Councils and strengthen the Pradeshiya Sabhas instead. We also want the appointment of District Ministers other than the Cabinet Ministers, so that development in the district level will be more effective,” he added.

Abeywardene who is the Chief Organiser of Lankalokaya told a media briefing that Provincial Councils are indeed white elephants as they have eaten up Rs. 7,000 billion (Rs. 7 trillion) since 1988.

“Some 71 percent of the total of Rs. 7 trillion has been accounted for recurrent expenditure. Accordingly Rs. 5,000 billion (Rs. 5 trillion) has been accounted for recurrent expenditure,” he said.

“There is no reason to continue with Provincial Councils as no one even in the North have called for reinstating the Provincial Councils. Even India is not pressing the government to hold Provincial Council elections. There is no reason to continue with the Provincial Councils under these circumstances,” he also said.

Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Comments - 16

Sokrates Monday, 19 February 2024 03:04 PM

All nonsense. Establish a federal republic. This works well in the USA, India, Switzerland, Germany and Austria, among others. In Sri Lanka, only 6 states with their own governments would be needed: Greater Colombo, West, North, East, South, West and Central. The best models for federalism would be Switzerland (with 4 official national languages enshrined in law), Germany and Austria.

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thiru Monday, 19 February 2024 03:18 PM

Consolidate the Provincial Council for the North and East into a single entity to minimize costs and eliminate all other provincial councils.

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Mahila Tuesday, 20 February 2024 07:05 AM

Yes, because none of the others really want it!??? Any way Original Proposal was for 2 PC's - North-East One, and Central Uva PC, Another for Rest of Islands' - present 5 Provinces!? The cost of 3 PC’s then Cost should drastically come Crashing down, below SL Rupees 90 Million per year for Three councils!!?? Then no need to have 450 Provincial Councilors, as NOW, instead 60 for NE council and 30 members for the Other Council, Rest of Island!!??? Recurrent Expenditure is Mainly, Cost of Remuneration of Councilors, Security Staff, Clerical staff for PC members, Fuel, Insurance, Vehicles, decreased councillors drastically come down. The 180 PC Councilors, Enables Reduction Cabinet Ministers to 20, and 20 Deputies removing DUPLICATION OF DUTIES – PROVINCIAL AND CENTRAL!! No State Ministers!!?? Savings galore!? FEED POOR!!??

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Ram Monday, 19 February 2024 03:58 PM

PC's must be abolished. Upon winning all the politicians forget what they promised

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sam Monday, 19 February 2024 04:27 PM

Provincial Councils are a white elephant unnecessarily wasting public funds. Local councils and central govt is more than sufficient for the country.

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Johan Monday, 19 February 2024 05:20 PM

SL has nine provinces and twenty two districts .Better elected Parliamentarians to the central government can occupy these seats and develop their regions.Their should be only two elections to curtail the expenditure.Perks and privileges of all politicians and their staff should be slashed and encashment should be stopped for the time being till country returns to normalcy.

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Nimal Monday, 19 February 2024 06:35 PM

Another scoundrel holding a high government position due to nepotism.

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Priya Tuesday, 20 February 2024 08:58 AM

True, we need to rid family politics from the country's governance completely. Replace them with highly educated and experienced personnel. No more former actors, cricketers, street thugs, murderers, rapists, circus clowns, trade union leaders.

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Joe Monday, 19 February 2024 07:48 PM

Provincial councils are must for this country. They're only a financial burden because they're not utilised properly. Still the central government hold too much power and overlapping portfolios. Whoever against have vested interests in centralised absolute power and not spreading the power among the citizens to be more involved in decision-making, usually the current crop of corrupt politicians and their henchmen.

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Tissa Fernando Monday, 19 February 2024 08:08 PM

Someone has got guts to speak out. These PCs are really useless and it is another layer of corruption.

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Bandara Monday, 19 February 2024 08:24 PM

Another entertainer to distract the people

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Bernard Jayatilake Monday, 19 February 2024 09:20 PM

Abolish the Provincial Councils and strengthen the local government bodies with broader mass participation at urban and village level by forming committees with apolitical administration.

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Kevin Tuesday, 20 February 2024 02:45 AM

Yes; these money guzzlers must be abolished. Long overdue.

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Buddhist Tuesday, 20 February 2024 02:51 AM

What an idiotic request! OK, if he wants that, is he agreeable to a Federal System? If he is agreeable, let's go for a Federal System.

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Sambo Tuesday, 20 February 2024 08:09 AM

This is very true. It's a huge waste of public money and more corruption by these Councillors. It's a big burden on the budget.

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Parththu Tuesday, 20 February 2024 09:36 AM

Even after the country has been facing severe financial crisis for the last three years, majority people has not learnt a lesson the reason behind this bankruptcy of the country. All people unity is a powerful mechanism to overcome the all challenges that have been facing by the country. How to achieve the unity of people among the different ethnic group? These people have no idea or system to develop unity among the people. Nonsense people have been trying to destroy the country once again and misleading to all people without knowing the facts or past history of each ethnic group who have been living in the country since 2000 BC.

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