The government took swift action yesterday to save face in the Eastern Provincial Council and avert an almost certain defeat on an important bill.
On a presidential directive, Governor Mohan Wijewickrema has put off the partly-held debate on Amendments to the Local Authorities Elections after a majority of council members, including Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, opposed them.
The debate was scheduled to be resumed tomorrow, but it has now been put off for May 12, Council Secretary R. Thiyakalingam said yesterday. Councillors were informed by telephone that tomorrow’s meeting had been postponed on a presidential directive. Some councillors who demanded a copy of the directive as proof were told by Mr. Thiyakalingam that he was “too busy” to fax them copies. The proposed amendments seeks to raise the cut-off point for minority parties to obtain seats at elections from the present five percent to 12.5 percent. Smaller parties are also opposing the move to raise the cut-off point to 12.5 percent.
The sudden move to postpone the debate was taken yesterday in Colombo. The Sunday Times learns that Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa who was on a visit to the US had personally called the Chief Minister and other UPFA members advising them to avoid a vote being taken on the issue.
The proposed amendments also seek to introduce a system that 70 percent of local council members should be elected on the previous first-past-the-post system and 30 percent on the Proportionate Representation system.
On Friday pandemonium reigned at the tail end of the special session of the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) when the proposed Bill was taken up for discussion.
The government had sent the Bill to all provincial councils seeking their stand as directed by the Supreme Court that the consent of the PCs should be obtained before tabling it in parliament.
UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha and SLFP General Secretary Mathiripala Sirisena were among those who were closely following the developments in the council. They wanted to prevent a vote against this amendment as the party believed it could have a negative effect on Saturday’s Western provincial council polls.
Mr. Chandrakanthan who contested under the UPFA ticket at the Eastern PC elections said the Bill could not be accepted in the present form at this stage and suggested that the council could consider it if some amendments were made.
Heated argument ensued between the opposition councilors and some ruling party members after speeches by provincial ministers Uththuma Lebbe and M.L.A.M.Hisbullah that followed Chief Minister’s speech.
Opposition Leader Basheer Segu Dawood requested EPC Chairman M.M.Faiz to put the Bill to a vote immediately.
Some councilors wanted the debate and the vote to be put off. Amid heated cross talks, the chairman put off the debate for tomorrow.Opposition Leader Basheer Segu Dawood in his speech said the Bill had been introduced by the government to “steal” through the backdoor powers given to the PCs under the 13th Amendment.
Provincial Agricultural Minister Thuraiappah Navaratnarajah said the council should think twice before rejecting the Bill. The council should decide whether it should go along with the central government or act contrary to the government in power. |
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