{"id":34631,"date":"2014-11-03T23:37:54","date_gmt":"2014-11-04T04:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=34631"},"modified":"2014-11-03T23:37:54","modified_gmt":"2014-11-04T04:37:54","slug":"northern-chief-minister-is-crying-for-more-powers-and-money-without-utilizing-what-he-already-has-npc-opposition-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=34631","title":{"rendered":"“Northern Chief Minister is Crying for more Powers and Money Without Utilizing what he already has”-NPC Opposition Leader."},"content":{"rendered":"

BY <\/p>\n

Mirudhula Thambiah<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Northern Provincial Council Opposition Leader<\/strong> and EPDP member S. Thavarasa <\/strong>claims for police and land powers in the province should amicably settled. “We must create a situation where the majority should feel that by giving these powers, it will not be misused. There is suspicion in the majority that those powers could be misused”, he pointed out. Thavarasa represents the EPDP <\/strong>headed by Minister Douglas Devananda <\/strong>who is a UPFA ally. A fortnight ago Thavarasa travelled to Colombo to address the media at the Government Information Department.<\/em>
\n
\nFollowing are excerpts of the interview:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q:
\nThe Central Government allocated funds for the development of the Northern Province. But you say that the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) has not done any development activities. So tell us now what have they done with the money?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Normally the government does not give money but they allocate funds. During Budget 2014 the government allocated Rs. 5831 million for the NPC as capital expenditure. This would be the highest allocation when compared with other provinces. All other provinces got much lesser allocations than the Northern Province.<\/p>\n

When allocations are provided they must carry out development projects, ask for the money and pay it. Either the money may come from the NPC or the government may pay directly. So far, up to 30 September the progress of the Provincial Council has been 25.17%. They have completed nine months since they secure the NPC.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Q:
\nThe NPC says that whatever allocation that is being given by the Central Government is held by the Governor of the Province. What have you got to say?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The Governor does not have any power to hold the money as it directly comes from the Treasury. Governor’s powers are very clearly stated in the 13th Amendment as well as the Provincial Council Act. The money is sent directly from the Central Government Treasury to the Provincial Treasury. Certain funds come to the Provincial Council, while others will be directly paid by the government to the project. The Governor has certain powers yet he does not have any powers to hold the allocations.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhy is the Chief Minister saying that the NPC is not given enough money to carry out the development projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Government will not give the money. The NPC should get the work done and get it reimbursed. It is a false allegation.<\/p>\n

I asked the same question when the President came for the special District Development Committee Meeting in Jaffna. He said the government is ever prepared to give the money. President himself has assured there is no hindrance.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nHowever the NPC says that all requested letters sent by them claiming money has been ignored by the Central Government. What have you got to say?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: There is no necessity to send such letters claiming money. There is an accounting procedure in the government department. They should directly write to the Treasury. It is not even the Chief Minister who has to write, he is not an accounting authority. NPC Deputy Secretary of Financial activities should write to the Treasury. Through him the NPC should take initiative to do the work.<\/p>\n


\nQ:
\nThe NPC claims they have difficulties in passing financial statutes, as it is hard to get the approval of the government. Is it true?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The Provincial Council has to pass statues to run it effectively. Statutes are necessary in two ways. Under the 13th Amendment there are 37 subjects given to the Provincial Councils to deal with it. To exclusively make it their subject, the Provincial Council has to make many statutes. There are many laws prevalent in the country enacted before 13th Amendment came into operation. Those laws are still applicable on certain areas of functions. Therefore, to make these subjects exclusively within the region, the laws enacted before should be made null and void in the Northern Province.<\/p>\n

The NPC has passed two finance statutes. According to the Provincial Council Act, before passing financial statues they should be first sent to the Governor. It is necessary to get his consent because it involves government fund.<\/p>\n

However, recently the NPC sent three financial statutes. Two were regarding collection of taxes and third was to pass a statute to create a Chief Minister’s Fund. Therefore, the Governor with small adjustments and suggestions accepted the first two statutes. He refused to accept the third, since it is against the Constitution.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhat is the difference between the Chief Minister’s Fund proposed by the NPC and other Provincial Councils?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The other Councils receive the funds only from the Treasury. But the NPC wants to get funds from all over the world, from Diaspora to anybody. It is totally a different concept. The name may be the same, but it cannot be as the exact concept as in other Councils. There is an unnecessary cry about it.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nAre you criticizing them because they are the TNA Provincial Council? Do you have evidence for all your allegations?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Not at all. One year has been completed with effect from 25 October. I’m not a genius but they are incapable. For the past one year they have not passed a proper statute. All the other seven Provincial Councils have made statutes years ago. We have those statutes in the statute book. Those should be taken and modified to suit the NPC and produced to the Council. It may have flaws yet it can be amended later. Therefore, for the last one year they have not made any single normal statute except the financial statute.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nNPC says the government is not fulfilling their demands and therefore they approached the international community. What have you got to say?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: They are not doing their home work properly. How can they just blame the government?<\/p>\n

Q:
\nAre you saying all these, because you are with the government?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I told many times in the Council, that people in the North have suffered for the last 30 years. They have to provide many things to the affected people. Minister Basil Rajapaksa invited the Chief Ministers of North and the East and also the other officers. There is a programme called ‘Northern Spring’ later named as ‘Nelsim’.<\/p>\n

The Deputy President of South Africa came to the North and the Chief Minister met him at a hotel in Jaffna. He had told the Deputy President that he did not have a good office, to receive him and therefore he is meeting him at the hotel. He also had made comments about the Governor’s office with all the facilities.
\n
\nQ:
\nCan you name the development projects initiated by the NPC?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: To my knowledge they have not done anything. They have not even reached 30% of progress, how can I name?<\/p>\n

Q:
\nYou have said at a recent press briefing that the NPC is not functioning according to the 13th Amendment. In what way have they ignored it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: They have not been given powers on every governing activity. The 13th Amendment has given certain powers. There are 37 powers, out of them still there is a dispute on the land and police powers. I admit we have to resolve that. Other 35 belongs exclusively to them.<\/p>\n

If the school statistics are taken, national teacher, student ratio is 19:1; in the North it is 18:1. There are more teachers in the North. Therefore, the government has provided every facility. Since the highest amount of allocations is being spent for the people, the NPC must provide the best services to the people.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nYou said according to the 13th Amendment only certain powers are given to the NPC. They also say that the powers given to them are not enough. So do you agree?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I’m not concerned about the rest of the Councillors. The Chief Minister was a former Supreme Court judge. He is the best person in the country to interpret the Constitution. He knows about the Constitution of the country very well. He knows what powers are given to the provinces, as per the Constitution. He has contested in an election and taken oath in accordance. He can now say the powers are not enough. If it is not enough he can claim for power from a different forum. Requesting for more power is different than other demands. They should first think of serving with the available powers.
\nHe is given certain powers but not utilizing it properly and crying for more power. Is the government prohibiting him from making statutes? Or have they been restricted from spending money? All the Provinces and the Ministers are spending the allocated money. There is fundamentally something wrong.<\/p>\n

But at least they should have taken part in Budget 2015. The Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera came to Jaffna, issuing them an advanced notice to join the 2015 budget allocation meetings. They did not participate in the meetings. Council Chairman C.V.K. Sivagnanam sent a note requesting the Treasury Secretary for some Rs 50 million for the expansion of the Council building. Dr. Jayasundera on the spot approved Rs 100 million. Another Rs150 million was allocated in the 2015 Budget. They must learn to cooperate and talk to the government, Minister Basil Rajapaksa has been continuously inviting them for discussions.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhat do you think should be done to serve the people?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I have not spoken like this before. I have waited for one year. If I was the Chief Minister by this time, I would have completed spending all the funds allocated to me and would have requested the government for more funds.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nDoes that mean they have neglected the other Districts?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: There was an imbalance in the development for the last 30 years. We have to consider that. Now they are balancing the development activities.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nCommonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, said he saw an increase in the military presence within the Northern Province. You said it is the decision of the Central Government. Do you think it is suitable for the people for their security?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Except the camp areas of the security forces, other areas are free from the movement of security forces. There is a check point at Omanthai.<\/p>\n

Palaly has an Army Camp within the area. In Jaffna nowhere does the Army interfere in the activities of the daily work of the people.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nYou say the people are resettled but there are allegations that certain lands of people in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu have not been released to them. There is illegal land acquisition taking place as well as there are illegal landmines in those areas. So how can it be said that all have been resettled?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Landmines are there only in Muhamaalai area. It is a huge area. It was the borderline between the Army and LTTE. It is a stretch of land from the Eastern coast to Western coast. We asked this question at the District Coordinating Committee Meeting and the specific agency that removes mines said that it would take a longer time.<\/p>\n

We have fought a war for 30 years. We cannot do everything overnight. The Diaspora community is causing fear by their actions. The government is elected by the majority of the people from the South. If people have behaved in a balanced way it would be different.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nDo you support the demands for police and land powers in the periphery?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: We want it. We have to create a situation; the people of this country should feel giving police powers will not be damaging. We must create a situation where the majority should feel that by giving these powers, they will not be misused.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWhat your stand on the allegation of war crimes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Let the UN do anything, I’m not concerned about it. I’m worried about the future of the people. If you read the Darusman report, it says crimes have been committed by all parties, including the Diaspora. The best thing is, rather than digging into the past, to look to the future. Otherwise the enmity between the communities will get widened. We have to live peacefully in this country. We have to have more development in our provinces, but if you have enmity that will not happen.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nWill the people from the North vote in full strength for a presidential candidate from the South at the upcoming Presidential Election?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: J.R. Jayewardene got the highest vote from the North. Tamil votes have a substantial value and they vote for the Sinhalese.<\/p>\n

When the President came to Jaffna in the train, Mavai Senathirajah himself issued a statement requesting the people to boycott the visit. But you saw the people were very enthusiastic about his visit. We couldn’t control the crowd.<\/p>\n

When you are in the Opposition you can criticize. This is the first time the TNA came to power. They have to show their ability. We cannot give land powers to the TNA. Their way of administration is wrong.
\nTherefore, people have realized that the TNA is incapable. People will definitely vote for a person from the South at the next Presidential Election.<\/p>\n

Courtesy:Ceylon Today<\/em><\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BY Mirudhula Thambiah The Northern Provincial Council Opposition Leader and EPDP member S. Thavarasa claims for police and land powers in the province should amicably settled. “We must create a situation where the majority should feel that by giving these powers, it will not be misused. There is suspicion in the majority that those powers …<\/p>\n

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