25.7.2008

Minister Rajitha Senaratne told the media yesterday (July 24) that the government would vest police, land and education powers in the Provincial Councils, including the Eastern province as per the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and in line with the Interim Report of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC).

Minister Senaratne also said that it was the belief of the government that a major breakthrough could be achieved through power-sharing and devolution, and that a starting point was the full implementation of the existing Constitutional provisions. If this opportunity presented to the government by the Indo-Lanka Pact in 1987 to resolve the conflict was not availed of promptly, the consequences would be tragic for Sri Lanka, he said.

Social Services and Social Development Minister Douglas Devananda said all Cabinet and non-Cabinet Ministers and MPs in the government were subject to the provisions in the 13th Amendment. The 13th Amendment would vest police, land and education powers in the respective provincial councils. But, where the Police were concerned, the National Police Commission (NPC) had been empowered to investigate any irregularity, mismanagement, corruption and mal-administration.