Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the main party in the National People's POwer (NPP) coalition, said the Provincial Council system set up under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution has failed to achieve its objectives and that his party would "provide a reasonable solution" to the island's ethnic conflict.
Responding to a question from a journalist, he said a more viable mechanism should be introduced following discussions with all stakeholders.
"Even though the provincial councils were given, the basic issue of the Tamils are the same," he said. "Therefore we need to create a mechanism or whatever system that protects the rights of the Tamil people through a discussion with everybody. However, this needs to stay until then because provincial councils are the only relief for the Tamil people."
"We wont abolish the provincial councils, until we are able to provide a reasonable solution," Silva concluded.
In his election manifesto, as well as in his election campaign, Sri Lanka's president Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged to conduct provincial council elections within a year “to provide an opportunity for the people to join the governance.” At a rally in Ratnapura, he announced that provincial council elections are scheduled for next year, with local government elections also planned.
"A political mechanism including the Presidency, a strong Cabinet, Parliament, Provincial Councils, Urban Councils, Municipal Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas are required for governance. We plan to conduct the Provincial Council elections within next year. We also expect to conduct the elections to the Urban Councils, Municipal Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas as well," he said.
Silva didn't detail futher when these may take place but added that this was the first time in history that the people of the North-East had voted for his party, which managed to secure a simple majority in every district but Batticaloa. “We want to bring a leader who is like their own. We are grateful to them for voting for us without thinking about differences. There was much misinformation, but without falling prey to it, they believed in us. We secured Jaffna and Vanni which is very special to us, although we did not secure as many seats in Batticaloa”
Last month, Silva said devolution of powers to Tamils in the North-East “is not necessary” and instead dismissed their ongoing concerns as merely “economic”. "The 13th Amendment to the constitution and devolution are not necessary for the Tamil people," said the veteran party member. "They need a solution for their economic problems."
He went on to claim that the call for autonomy from Tamil politicians was simply being used in an attempt to consolidate power in the region.
The NPP won 159 seats in parliament, securing a two-thirds majority, a feat Silva called both unprecedented and humbling. “The people have given us a huge responsibility,” he said. “This is the first time a party has achieved such a victory without making deals or alliances. We stood alone with one goal and secured this win.”
Silva emphasized the unifying nature of the NPP’s win, noting how people from diverse regions and ethnicities rallied behind the party. “The people in the North, East, and the hill country have joined hands with the NPP, thinking like one nation,” he said. “This is a particularly special victory because it was achieved by defeating traditional, strong political parties that have reigned for 70 years. The elitist, hegemonic era has ended. Now, the politics of the general public has come.”
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Silva pledged to use the NPP’s mandate responsibly. “We will not misuse this two-thirds majority. Our leaders will not become bloated with power. We will use this mandate to rebuild the country, establish democracy, and end corruption,” he promised.
Silva also outlined the NPP’s priorities, including addressing rural poverty and reviving the economy. “We have taken a fallen country. Due to debt, we had to have an agreement with the IMF. We have to end rural poverty and help people live with dignity. This is the weight of responsibility that has been placed on us, and we owe it to the people to deliver,” he said.
