Devananda says North granted land powers

… calls move a big boost for post-war national reconciliation

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda on Wednesday (17) claimed that the Northern Province had been granted land powers in terms of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

The NP consists of administrative districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya.

Devananda said that in spite of the absence of consensus among SLPP constituents as regards devolution of power, the government was committed to the Provincial Council system.

The NP Land Commissioner had received powers enjoyed by his counterparts serving in other provinces, Minister Devananda said emphasizing that the latest development proved the post-war reconciliation process was a success. The Tamil public would positively respond to the government stand. The NP Land Commissioner was now authorized to issue an entire range of permits pertaining to land matters, he said.

Devananda, who is the General Secretary of the Jaffna-based Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) pointed out that the likes of Public Security Minister retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera publicly opposed the devolution of power.

Pointing out that in terms of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution empowered the Provincial Council, Jaffna District lawmaker Devananda emphasized that the aspirations of the Tamil community could be met only through full devolution of powers.

Having introduced the Provincial Council system in the wake of the Indo-Lanka accord in 1987, successive governments implemented the 13th Amendment sans land and police powers.

Assuring the government’s commitment to the Provincial Council system, Minister Devananda said that he had repeatedly told the cabinet of ministers the need for maximum devolution of powers.

For want of a consensus as regards the electoral system among political parties represented in parliament during the previous administration the Provincial Council polls couldn’t be held.

Although Nimal Punchihewa, the new Chairman of the Election Commission recently declared that a simple amendment could be moved in parliament to pave the way for Provincial Council polls, the SLPP seemed not really interested in moving the matter, election monitors said.

Minister Devananda alleged that a section of the media continuously misled the public regarding the government intentions. The minister said that some journalists had acknowledged privately that a section of the media, too, contributed to the environment that finally led to an armed conflict.

Devananda urged the media to be mindful of the implications of various agendas pursued by interested parties, including some sections of the media.

Minister Devananda faulted the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) led Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for creating a situation that facilitated the previous government project to put off Provincial Council polls.

The former militant alleged that TNA neglected its responsibilities. Instead, the TNA parliamentary group backed the then government but failed to take tangible measures to influence the conducting of Provincial Council polls.

India has been continuously pushing for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment though some political parties represented in parliament strongly opposed the concept of devolution. Political sources said that Devananda made the announcement amidst the ongoing deliberations undertaken by a government appointed committee to prepare a new Constitution. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva heads the 9-member committee.