Following requests from political parties, eminent personnel:

Cabinet approval sought to amend LG bodies

by Ranil Wijayapala

Following the defeat of budget proposals for year 2014 at several local government bodies, the Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry has submitted a memorandum seeking Cabinet approval to amend the Local Authorities, (Special Provisions) Act, No. 21 of 2012 to revert to the earlier system of governing local government bodies.

Provincial Council and Local Government Ministry Secretary R.A.A.K. Ranawake told the Sunday Observer that Minister A.L.M. Athaullah had submitted the Cabinet paper following requests from several political parties and eminent personnel.

According to the Local Government Special Provisions Act, No. 21 of 2012, the Mayor of a Municipal Council or Chairman of an Urban Council or Pradeshiya Sabha has to step down from their posts when the budget proposals submitted for Council approval are defeated twice in the Council.

Earlier, the Mayor of a Municipal Council or Chairman of an Urban Council or Pradeshiya Sabha despite the defeat of the budget proposals twice in the Council, could continue in their posts considering that the budget has been passed in the Council.

“We are seeking Cabinet approval to bring amendments to the existing laws to revert to the earlier system”, Ranawake said.

He said that the eight Local Government bodies where the budgets had been defeated twice are now functioning after new chairmen were appointed by the governing parties.

The UPFA has appointed new chairmen for the Matara, Kesbewa, Mirigama, Bulathsinhala, Embilipitiya, Rajanganaya and Medawachchiya Pradeshiya Sabhas and Peliyagoda Urban Council after the former Chairmen stepped down following the defeat of the budgets twice in those Councils.

New chairmen will be appointed for the Homagama, Imbulpe, Lankapura, Dimbulagala, Hingurakgoda, Medirigiriya and Damana Pradeshiya Sabhas, he said. “Political parties governing these local government bodies have to make these appointments.”

The Secretaries of the Local Government bodies have been given authority by the Commissioner of Local Government to continue their service to these local government bodies”, until such appointments are made.