PCs can fulfill people's aspirations - Uthuma Lebbe

By P. Krishnaswamy

With political parties and independent groups having filed nominations to run for the September 8 polls to the Eastern, North-Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils (PCs) and propaganda campaigns already gaining momentum, the Sunday Observer contacted some of the ex-Ministers and members of the Eastern PC for their views on what they done for their constituencies in their four-year tenure, shortcomings or problems they encountered in the performance of their duties, their limitations as members of the PC and fund allocations. Three ex-Ministers and the Opposition Leader representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and the National Congress (NC) the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) expressed mixed views on these matters.

Excerpts of the interview:

Wimalaweera Dissanayake (SLFP), Ex-Minister of Education, who represented the Ampara constituency:

"The people have elected us to the PC with high hopes that we will fulfill their aspirations and provide relief to the problems encountered by them. These include provision of infrastructure, agricultural development, schooling and educational matters, recruitment within the province and transfers. But all high officials are appointed by the Central Government while the Provincial Governor has powers with regard to recruitment, appointments and transfers. On many other matters too we have to approach either the Central Government or the Governor for approval. I strongly feel that this is unfair by the people who gave us their mandate.

We are unable to respond to the requests of our people. Actually, the Cabinet of the Provincial Council should have these powers.

The allocation of funds is inadequate. For instance the Eastern province comprises a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-traditional society. The allocation of funds for cultural activities is small compared to the wide area that has to be covered promotion and improvement in these spheres. Furthermore, the Finance Commission intervenes unduly in matters related to expenditures and allocations."

M.H.S.Subair (SLMC), former Minister of Health who represented the Batticaloa constituency:

"The May 2008 polls to the first Eastern PC offered a platform for many young political leaders. The creation of a separate PC also created an atmosphere conducive to communal and racial amity which did not prevail for three decades due to the conflict created by the LTTE.

We, as members and Ministers of the PC, have been able to contribute to the socio-economic welfare of the local communities. The Eastern Province that was lagging behind in all spheres - development, economy, education, health and infrastructure - is now catching up with the rest of the provinces in the country, thanks to the new provincial administration.

The province which was traditionally known as the 'granary of rice' was in shambles with the cultivation of paddy and other grains neglected and most of the cultivable land discarded due to the three-decade long terrorist problem.

The situation improved after the establishment of the PC. Irrigation tanks and other facilities have been rehabilitated and farmers have returned to their traditional profession.

"It is the same in relation to the health and education sectors. Dairy farming and milk production has redoubled. Major development projects have been implemented with the allocation of large amounts of money.

"The province that was in the ninth place in sports, has now risen to the sixth place. In education, the province has achieved the first place. The Batticaloa district got the best results at the last GCE (O/L) examination.

New highways have been constructed and the road network has seen vast improvements. Prior to the establishment of the PC one had to take a circuitous route via the North-Central province to get to Trincomalee. But now direct road transport via Vakarai is operating.

"The administrative structure is now functioning smoothly. Claims that the Governor is interfering in the functions of the PC are not true. Some problems in this respect have already been sorted out.

"One of the major shortcomings is that many powers that should have been devolved to the PC long ago under the 13th amendment to the Constitution have not been devolved as yet, while these powers are enjoyed by other PCs. Secondly funds allocated for sports and indigenous medicine are inadequate. Only Rs.15ml was allocated last year for sports while only Rs. 24ml was allocated for ayurveda. For women's affairs only Rs. 4ml was allocated last year while a meagre Rs. 3ml was allocated for the cooperative sector."

Uthuma Lebbe (NC), ex-Minister of Road Development, Irrigation, Housing & Construction, Rural Electrification and Water Supply who represented the Kalkudah constituency :

"The North-East PC was administered by government authorities before the establishment of the Eastern PC, one year after the elimination of LTTE terrorism. During that three-decade period the PC system was in implementation in all other provinces other than in the Northern-Eastern provinces although the system was primarily meant for those two provinces.

During the 30-year war, everything from day to day life of families to provincial economy, infrastructure, development, education, agriculture and water supply deteriorated to the lowest levels.

"But in the four years of the PC administration, with the support and co-operation of the Chief Minister and the relevant Ministers of the Central Government, we have been able to build up the province in all these spheres. The province is now almost on an equal footing with the other provinces of the country. This became possible because of the establishment of the PC.

"The East is a very fertile province, endowed with many natural resources, that could generating its own funds for the administration of the PC without depending on the central government. There are ilmenite and cement factories. It is the highest rice producing region and the fisheries sector is also doing well. The demographic percentage of all three communities are almost equal and they live in harmony.

"Whatever I or any other PC members did in the development and infrastructure sector were done for all three communities in an equitable manner. The Eastern PC is a good example of a new political culture.

All communities and all their political leaders work together. Political leaders, government officials and the people work in co-ordination. This certainly is an achievement of the PC. I believe that the aspirations of the people of the province can be fulfilled through the PC system. I, as Minister, never had any problems either with the Governor or with Government officers. With my experience as PC Minister I can also say that the system will pave the way for winning political rights of the minorities."

K.M. Abdhul Rajak alias Jawath (SLMC), Opposition Leader who represented the Kalmunai constituency:

"The Eastern province comprises all three communities and communal tension prevailed during the three decades of LTTE terrorism. The PC that was established in May 2008 has been successful in defusing the tension and in promoting communal harmony and brotherhood.

I consider that it is also part of the function of the PC. When Bills detrimental to the interests of the minorities were tabled, we have been able to defeat them. Under the able leadership and guidance of our leader we have been able to protect the political and religious rights of our people.

"Some 23 villages in the Ampara district remain underdeveloped, lacking even basic requirements such as drinking water.

The sum of Rs. 2ml allocated to a member is inadequate. In addition to the allocated amount I spent my own money to provide the basic necessities of these villages, including roads and water supply. Some leaders having influence with top authorities have done much for their own constituencies, completely ignoring the suffering people of the underdeveloped areas.

"I am confident that it is possible to contribute immensely to the socio-economic welfare of the people with the powers and facilities available to the PC. It is also possible to play an important role towards development in the region. It is possible to make the central government to change its approach towards the province.

"Several useful projects did not see the light of day due to confrontations between some of the PC Ministers and the Governor. This is a very unfortunate situation which needs to be redressed. In my view the Governor is a very honest and righteous gentleman".