Dullas blames ITAK for silence on delayed PC elections

Friday, 29 March 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kacchi (ITAK) came under fire yesterday in parliament for being silent over delayed Provincial Council elections.

MP Dullas Alahapperuma

According to the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) lawmaker Dullas Alahapperuma, the ITAK should have pressured the Government to hold an election, which is delayed for over one and a half years.

Joining the Committee Stage Program of Budget 2019, Alahapperuma held the purpose is lost debating the Ministry of Internal & Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government with the delayed elections. “The silence of the ITAK on this issue is a concern. The Provincial Councils were established under the 13th Amendment with the aim to devolve power and get the Tamil people involved. One and half years ago, the Eastern Provincial Council was dissolved. Northern Provincial Council has dissolved five months ago. ITAK would label Mahinda Rajapakse a traitor if this delay incurred during his tenure,” said Alahapperuma.

“There is no purpose of holding the debate unless concrete steps are taken to allow people to democratically elect their representatives to those Provincial Councils and allow them to function properly. The Southern Provincial Council, which is one of the three Provincial Councils still functioning, will end in 12 days. The term of the Western Provincial Council will end in 24 days. Nobody knows when the elections will will be held,” he added. (AH)