Sri Lanka's Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa blamed the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) for the lack of development in the area, stating that the government's development plan had slowed down since the NPC took charge, reports The Hindu.
“They have not done anything yet,” he told reporters, adding that the NPC should use the powers at hand before demanding more devolution.
His comments are at stark odds with those from within the NPC however, who have increasingly criticised the government's restrictions and withholding of funds.
Earlier this year the Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran slammed President Rajapaksa's failure to uphold pledges made to the NPC.
"The Provincial Council system was introduced to devolve powers to the provinces under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. However, the Central Government is attempting to tighten its grip over the Provincial Councils," Wigneswaran said.
He added,
"He [Rajapaksa] made several pledges to me on the successful governance of the NPC. However, he has not done anything so far to fulfill those pledges.
"By clipping the wings of the NPC, the Central government is trying to take the upper hand through its agents. Therefore, to make our presence felt with our demands for the NPC we are attending these meetings."
See related articles:
Livelihoods lost while military has land says NPC member (15 Aug 2014)
NPC Chief Minister: occupying military force systematically seeks to subjugate (12 Jun 2014)
NPC Minister accuses government of failing to provide drought relief (08 May 2014)
Army takes over public land in PTK, local economy affected says NPC member (22 Apr 2014)
“They have not done anything yet,” he told reporters, adding that the NPC should use the powers at hand before demanding more devolution.
His comments are at stark odds with those from within the NPC however, who have increasingly criticised the government's restrictions and withholding of funds.
Earlier this year the Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran slammed President Rajapaksa's failure to uphold pledges made to the NPC.
"The Provincial Council system was introduced to devolve powers to the provinces under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. However, the Central Government is attempting to tighten its grip over the Provincial Councils," Wigneswaran said.
He added,
"He [Rajapaksa] made several pledges to me on the successful governance of the NPC. However, he has not done anything so far to fulfill those pledges.
"By clipping the wings of the NPC, the Central government is trying to take the upper hand through its agents. Therefore, to make our presence felt with our demands for the NPC we are attending these meetings."
See related articles:
Livelihoods lost while military has land says NPC member (15 Aug 2014)
NPC Chief Minister: occupying military force systematically seeks to subjugate (12 Jun 2014)
NPC Minister accuses government of failing to provide drought relief (08 May 2014)
Army takes over public land in PTK, local economy affected says NPC member (22 Apr 2014)