President Ranil Wickramasinghe said that since the 13th amendment of the Constitution is a matter that affects the entire country, it is his position to discuss with all parties and take a decision.
Therefore, he said that it is not enough to discuss it only with the Tamil Party MPs.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe mentioned this while addressing the All-Party Conference held at the President’s Office yesterday (26) afternoon.
This all-party conference was called to inform the party leaders representing the Parliament about the National Reconciliation Program and the North-East Development Plan.
The President recalled that not only he, but also the previous seven executive presidents did not have the power to pass new laws to solve the existing problems.
He said that the Parliament has the power to pass new laws to solve the existing problems, and he is only making the relevant proposals for the country.
Also, President Ranil Wickramasinghe emphasized that he, who has only one vote in the Parliament, cannot carry out those tasks alone, and that all the people representing the Parliament should work together to move forward with these activities.
Pointing out that seven out of the nine provincial councils are located in areas where the majority of Sinhalese people live, the president also mentioned that if he expects to maintain the provincial council system in the future, the shortcomings that have already been experienced should be corrected.
The President said that some of the subjects included in the first list of provincial councils are under the central government and therefore the provincial councils should be given those powers as well as the powers to run grassroots activities in fields such as agriculture and tourism.
The President pointed out that the central government should formulate policies for the country and the provincial councils should be provided with the necessary facilities for the proper implementation of development activities in all fields.
The President also said that all parties should discuss together and take a decision regarding the provision of police powers to the Provincial Councils as indicated in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.
Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe said that it has been proposed to make arrangements in such a way that the members of the provincial council can hold the position and be appointed as a member of parliament, and the members of parliament can hold the position and be appointed as a member of the provincial council.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Former President Maithripala Sirisena, Tamil National Alliance Leader Member of Parliament R. Sanghan, M. A. Sumanthiran, General Secretary of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Member of Parliament Sagara Kariyawasam, Members of Parliament Dallas Alahapperuma, Wimal Weerawansa, Gevidu Kumaratunga, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Udaya Gammanpila, Sarath Weerasekara, G. L. Peiris, Reverand Athuraliye Ratana Thero, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, C.V. Vigneswaran, Lakshman Kiriella and many MPs spoke on this occasion and party leaders and representatives representing various parties attended the event.
