Closed Door Meeting: Rajapaksa To Dissolve Eastern Provincial Council Before It Passes A Resolution

June 24, 2013 

At a meeting held today at Temple Trees, President Rajapaksa wanted his close political advisors to consider dissolving the Eastern Provincial Council, the Colombo Telegraph learns.

At a closed door meeting, the President has expressed his displeasure over a possible resolution of the Eastern Provincial Council opposing the Government’s move to dilute the 13th Amendment. It was pointed out that the Government in that event could get only 13 votes (i.e. Athaulla group-3, Badurdeen group-3 and SLFP-3), while those who support the 13th Amendment could get  24 votes (TNA-11, Muslim Congress-7, UNP 4 and Pilliyan-2).

Last week, at a meeting held at Main Street, Kalmunai, MinisterHakeem expressed disappointment over the Government’s move and stated that “the Government has appointed a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) without the SLMC, which is the strongest and most represented Muslim party and as such, any decision taken by such a PSC will be thrown to the dustbin”.

The President has indicated that criticism is mounting in the East against the move to amend the 13th Amendment and before the Eastern Provincial Council passes a resolution, the Council should be dissolved and the Government must take over the administration of the Province.

TNA not ready for PSC

by Ravi Ladduwahetty-2013-06-24 

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said yesterday it is not prepared, at present, for the just-appointed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

This follows Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa announcing the appointment of 19 government members to the PSC that would comprise a total of 31 members, led by Leader of the House and Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Meanwhile, the UNP said it will nominate its members after certain issues relating to the PSC are clarified with the government.

Speaking to Ceylon Today, Deputy Leader of the TNA and Jaffna District MP, Mavai Senathirajah, said: "We are not prepared at this point in time to be part of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the 13th Amendment but we have made our position very clear, right throughout."He also said that TNA Leader, R. Sampanthan, and he had arrived from New Delhi after talks with the Indian leaders only yesterday morning, and the TNA Committee would meet this week to finalize their stand on the PSC, as well as other issues.

Senathirajah also said Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa had not written to the TNA about nominating members to the PSC.
He refused to be drawn when questioned about his Alliance's stand in this regard, vis-à-vis, the news reports that the Sri Lankan Government had told the Indian Government that police powers will not be given to the Provinces, as stipulated in the 13th Amendment, as it stands.