Opposition parties expressed different ideas on devolving power to Provincial Councils in the aftermath of the All Party Conference which was held on Wednesday.
Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), TNA and United Republican Front led by Patali Champika Ranawaka called for the holding of Provincial Council elections while MP Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thera came up with a totally different idea.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the President should hold the Provincial Council election even under the proportional representation system. “We are ready to support the government on an amendment to the Provincial Council Act so that the election can be held immediately,” he told a media briefing.
MP Ranawaka said the government can hold the Provincial Council election even under a mixed system, if the delimitation issue is resolved within a month. “Also devolving power to Provincial Councils could be done according to the current situation. The need today is to have tamil speaking policemen and not devolving police powers to Provincial Councils. Even Wellawatta police needs tamil speaking policemen,” he said.
Venerable Rathana Thera highlighted that the President has called for the all party conference to fulfill his political ambition. “President seemed to be worried on the next election. All he should do is to present a manifesto which comprises his idea on devolving power,” he said.