A gem from the Western Provincial Council

Gems are of a variety of kinds. Precious stones and jewels are rated 'gems'. An exceptional individual, place or an object, too, earns the sobriquet "Gems". The "Gem", that has recently emerged from the Western Provincial Council, is a highly estimable object - a publication. The work is titled "The Western Provincial Council and the Provincial Council process in Sri Lanka."

It can be unhesitatingly stated, that, this is the most significant assessment of the Provincial Council System, since those bodies were constituted in the wake of the 13th Amendment.

Generally speaking, most State sector publications are heavy reading. In total contrast to that usual trend, the present publication is eminently readable, and at times, even entertaining.

The publication appears, at a historically noteworthy moment. Twenty-two years have elapsed since the establishment of the Provincial Council system in this country. This was the outcome of a prolonged series of initiatives, that began almost from the day, Sri Lanka gained Independence in 1948. The political mantram, that some leaders kept on chanting for decades, had a twin - refrain - "devolution of power" and "decentralization".

The co-authors of this valued anthology are Lalith Kannangara and Deepthi Wijetunga. At the outset, their commitment and dedication have to be profusely felicitated, since this publication is the brilliant result of a strenuous and sustained effort.

As the title quite clearly indicates, the central focus of the publication is the Western Provincial Council. Since the Western Province is the home of the capital city of Sri Lanka, the Western Provincial Council, as a matter of course, assumes prime status among Provincial Councils.

The approach of the co-authors, to their task is keenly by systematic and highly organized.

Mark Twain

The anthology is presented in four parts. In the first segment, the history, lore, and the culture, specific to the Western Province are dwelt upon, in a series of assiduously researched articles. The predominant literary value, to which a dash of archaic taste has been added, contributes substantially towards absorbed reading. Incidentally, the co-authors could seriously consider the possibility of bringing out the essays in this part of the book, as a separate publication.

The second part of the book is devoted to the discussion of the history of "devolution" and "decentralization".

The essays in the third part concentrate on the multiple aspects of the Provincial Council process in Sri Lanka.

The three appendices in the fourth and the concluding segment of this publication, records the significant compacts and agreements on the path towards the setting up of the Provincial Council system.

The essays in the first part of the book will engender deep curiosity, and will certainly arouse concerned interest in the whole range of readers. The articles in this segment, are contributed by Sirinimal Lakdusingha, Prof. B. A. Tennyson Perera, Prof. K. A. P. Siddhisena, Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa and Dr. Praneeth Abhayasundara.

These articles reveal bewildering and overwhelmingly fascinating layers of information about the Western Province and specifically about the city of Colombo. Antiquarian Sirinimal Lakdusinghe traces the hostory of this region to an age, for beyond the Christian Era.

In their essays Dr. Praneeth Abhayasumdera and Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa, concentrate on the more recent eras of Colombo and the Western Province.

The latter writer quotes as a preamble to his piece, the joyous outburst of a western visitor to Colombo in 1900.

The traveller who uttered this paean of joy, on seeing Colombo, is no less a person than great Mark Twain. This is partly what Mark Twain rapturously pronounced at the sight of our land:

"For God's sake, this is Sri Lanka. This area is entirely charming totally tropical. Plants and greenery are profuse. Capital Colombo is clearly an oriental city. Walking by the sea along Galle Face, is a picturesque dream. This is a tropical dream, filled with trees, plants and blossoms". (the quotation is translated from Sinhala)

The extracts from the travelogue of an American surgeon, who visited Colombo in 1835, will invariably jolt a modern Sri Lankan reader into a state of stunned surprise. this is what he saw in Colombo, then: A. man pushed along a three wheeled vehicle. Elephant drawn carts, traversed Colombo Street. In his detailed travelogue, he describes how he travelled around in Colombo, in a horse drawn four-wheeled" palanquin". He records how the driver went along on fook holding the reins, throughout the journey. According to him, the city of Colombo took the guise of a forest, at that time. Most residential units, were situated in the midst of cinnamon gardens.

He has written thus: A member of my travel group stated. I have never seen any other place anywhere else, so similar to Adam's Garden of Eden, than this. It is here, that I came close to Paradise, then in any other place".

The second segment of the book, is an in-depth study of the process of Provincial Councils and the concept of power devolution.

For the scholar, historian and the student, the articles included in this part of the book, will prove valuable raw material.

In the third part of the book, experienced Provincial Council politicians present their wisdom, garnered thorough their practical association with the Provincial Council system.

The first Chief Minister of the Western Provincial Council, Susil Moonesinghe, recounts the trials and travails that had to be arduously gone through, to establish the Provincial Council System, in Sri Lanka.

This essay is a living record of the translation of the provisions of the 13th Amendment, into this totally new process of governance, represented by The Provincial Council System. The First Chief Minister sets down frankly and in detail, the trepidations, that assaulted his soul when President J.R. Jayewardena decreed, like a bolt from the blue, that he should contest the post of Chief Minister in the Western Provincial Council.

This article is a historical document, that authentically records the birth of the Provincial Council system, by a statesman, who was called upon to occupy the centre stage, when this newly constituted body was being initially launched.

Ex-Chief Minister of the Western Provincial Council, Reginald Cooray, presents his views about the responsibilities of the representative of the people, towards the progress of the Provincial Council system.

He proposes a very well thought out series of precepts, for those who are keen to be the representatives of the masses.

This publication, should be extolled as a magnificent contribution to ensure the enhancement of mass awareness, in the intricacies of good governance especially as related to the Provincial Council System.

One cannot help but observe, that the publication is a veritable treasure trove of information about the history and the lore of the city of Colombo.

This work will eventually turn out to be a highly sought after source book.