News
Vasantha says he is ‘disillusioned’ with the state of affairs
View(s):Foreign Affairs State Minister Vasantha Senanayake said yesterday that he was “disillusioned” with the present state of affairs in the country, though he did not believe the Yahapalanaya Government to be a failure. Addressing a media briefing convened to announce his proposal for a 21st Amendment to the Constitution, he said he did not see the country moving in the right direction.
“Though we took over power, there are many conflicts and crises within the Government,” he said. Though he had been a vocal proponent of reforms within the United National Party, the state minister said he had now chosen to remain silent as a majority of party members were comfortable with the status quo. “I respect the majority decision of the party. However, if the party is to hold another dialogue on reforms, I will join that dialogue. I am not prepared to present an individual opinion, as you cannot win a revolution by doing so,” he said.
Explaining the 21st Amendment, which is currently before the Parliament Select Committee, he said it would replace the Provincial Council system and devolve power through District Councils. The District Council system was first proposed some 50 years ago by former Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake.
The State Minister said the present PC system was ineffective. “That they are a white elephant is clear from the fact that five PCs no longer function, with a sixth to go out of commission soon, and there is no urgency to hold elections to them,” he said.