Panchayati raj useful to Sri Lanka: Aiyar

by B. Muralidhar Reddy

* The way India dealt with secessionist demands could prove beneficial to Sri Lanka

*Aiyar underlines the Indian commitment to a united Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: The Indian experiment on devolution of powers through the Panchayati raj model could be useful for Sri Lanka in dealing with its ethnic strife, Union Minister for Panchayat Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports, Mani Shankar Aiyar, said here on Tuesday. In a nearly two-hour long interactive session with the All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) and Panel of Experts at the Peace Secretariat, the Minister dwelt at length particularly on the Indian examples pertaining to Gorkhas, Bodos and Mizos. The APRC and Panel of multi-ethnic experts have been constituted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his quest to evolve a consensus within the majority Sinhala community on the contentious subjects of devolution and sharing of powers.

According to the participants at the conference, Mr. Aiyar emphasised that while it was up to Sri Lanka to devise ways and means to resolve its ethnic problem, it was his considered view that the way the Indian State dealt with various secessionist demands could prove beneficial for Sri Lanka. Mr. Aiyar, on a three-day visit to the island nation in connection with the 47th death anniversary of the former Prime Minister, SWRD Bandaranaike, on Monday, delivered a lecture on politics of Asia with special reference to South Asia.

He underlined the Indian commitment for a united Sri Lanka and said India was ready to share its experiences in power sharing and devolution. An official statement said Mr. Aiyar explained the concept of Panchayati raj and described its implementation in India. “System of local democracy through local councils known as Panchayats has been established by the Constitution. It provides a mechanism for devolution from the Central Government to people at the local levels,” it said. According to the statement, Mr. Aiyar provided insights into the methodology, principles, and practical issues regarding this system of devolution.

At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Aiyar responded to questions from members of the All-Party Representative Committee and the Panel of Experts, and offered to provide further assistance and cooperation to them, it said. The Minister was accompanied by the Indian High Commissioner, Nirupama Rao, the Deputy High Commissioner, A. Manickan, and other officials from the Indian High Commission. Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, also attended the discussion. Wiswa Warnapala, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and member of the APRC, welcomed Mr. Aiyer.

Courtesy: The Hindu