No strife between Eastern PC and Centre:

Hisbullah pledges support for all development programs

by P. Krishnaswamy

Eastern Provincial Council Minister of Social Services, Ports and IT Education M. L. A. M. Hisbullah denied reports that there was strife between the Provincial administration and the Central Government over the Electoral Reform Bill (ERB) and allotment of land by the Centre for Development Projects in the province.

The Provincial administration fully supported all development projects envisaged under the Mahinda Chintana and they were conscious of the fact it was under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership that terrorism was eliminated and PC administration established in the province, he said.

A Private Member’s motion, proposing that the decisions of the Centre on such allotments should be brought before the Council for its approval was passed by the Council. This does not amount to the Council’s rejection of the Centre’s decision as reported in certain sections of the media.

The intention behind passing the motion was to ensure that the land allotments would not affect the local communities but would instead benefit them including the offer of adequate employment opportunities, the Provincial Minister said.

Nation Building Minister (Non-Cabinet) Susantha Punchinilame told the Sunday Observer that the question of earmarking 14,000 acres of uninhabited lands, with Cabinet approval, for development projects was discussed with C. M. Chandrakanthan and his delegation on October 10, 2008 and his consent was obtained. The nature of land, their locations and the number of employment opportunities that would be made available to the local communities and other details were explained to the CM, the Minister said.

Minister Hisbullah said that their discussions centered on more clarifications on certain clauses and suggestions and they were mutually sorted out. Discussions to sort out other issues will be held soon, he said.