Video: Govt. using 13-A as a red herring: UNP

12 July 2013 12:31 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said today the Government was using the devolution of police and land powers to provincial councils as a red herring to divert the people’s attention from the burning issues, because of which the Government was unable to go before the people.

“Today the government has nothing to talk about. The economy has collapsed. The cost of living and unemployment has worsened. Therefore the government has to have some cause to go before the people. It was once the Halal issue and now the 13th Amendment is being used as a red herring. Neither Halal nor the 13th Amendment are major issues facing the county,” Mr. Kiriella said.

He said according to our Constitution, police and land powers were with the central government and as such neither the Provincial Councils nor the Chief Minister can decide on police or land powers on their own.

“According to our Constitution lands belong to the central government. The number of police personnel recruited to the provincial councils has to be decided by the central government. Provincial councils cannot take arbitrary decisions on distributing lands either. Every decision needs to be approved by the President,” Mr. Kiriella said.

He said if power was not devolved, the country could not be united and said the central government had to work amicably with provincial councils.

“No country that devolved power has been separated. Only the countries that have not devolved power like Sudan and Kosovo have been divided. If we try to take off powers vested in them, we will have to face problems locally and internationally,” he said.

Mr. Kiriella said the government itself does not speak with one voice on the 13th Amendment and said if it wanted to it could abolish the 13th Amendment or make amendments to it.

“The government has the two-thirds majority to abolish it. But it can’t do so as there is no firm stance within the government. It will not get a two-thirds majority if it attempted to abolish the 13th Amendment. We will also come to the PSC if it reached a compromise. (Ajith Siriwardana)

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Comments - 6

OMG Friday, 12 July 2013 06:39 PM

well said

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M.O.A. Careem Saturday, 13 July 2013 12:24 AM

silent bankruptcy?

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sarath Saturday, 13 July 2013 12:51 AM

we were together in 1986 to oppose 13A and I still remain in the same. I see the danger. Police recruitment is not the matter in question. I fear the administration are you satisfied in the way some or all Chief Ministers behave with the assistance of Police today with Administration by the centre. this will become worse with having power with PCs. Forget about North but think about rest of PCs. Many people independently will say they are not satisfied with PC administration as they badly abusing powers than MPs.

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SriL Saturday, 13 July 2013 12:00 AM

I think the major issue in Sri Lanka is not having a opposition. Can you work on that. via DM Android App

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Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 13 July 2013 07:16 AM

As I can see the major issue is brainwashing of the electorate by a crooked government through its controlled media resulting in ordinary people suspending their beliefs, whatever the opposition has to say.

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sanaboy Saturday, 13 July 2013 10:18 AM

My dear friend, onai buruwekuta puluwan 13 plus wenas karanna

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