The Provincial Council (PC) system has contributed immensely to the development of the country and to provide solutions to the people’s problems, Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure State Minister Nimal Lanza said.
The State Minister said that the Provincial Council System could be used to develop the country and provide solutions to the people’s problems and therefore, the PC elections should be held soon.
The State Minister was inaugurating several road development projects in Attanagalla yesterday.
"The PC elections were postponed with a parliamentary amendment. We say the PC elections should be held soon. Without the people's representatives, the PC cannot be governed. Officials alone cannot do this without the people's representatives. Officials do not have a close relationship with the people. The people's representatives, on the other hand, are always in touch with the people. That is why the PC elections should be held, he said.
“The Provincial Council System has been completely disrupted. On the first day of the forthcoming parliamentary sitting, a committee will be appointed to discuss the electoral system, the amendments and the shortcomings in the electoral system and to hold the Provincial Council elections very soon,” he said.
“We were never afraid of elections. This Government will not flee in fear of elections. Instead, we held elections on time. Unlike us, the good governance government postponed the elections. They should be blamed for it,” he said.
“A large number of schools and hospitals are under the Provincial Councils. Therefore, they play a big role. As a former Provincial Minister, I rehabilitated 6,000 km of roads in 11 districts. Therefore, I know that the PCs are doing a great service to the people. It is wrong to issue wrong statements without understanding this issue properly. We have worked in this system, served the people in this system and contributed immensely to the development. Therefore, I am of the view that the provincial council system should be maintained,” he said.
“The development work of the Koskandawala Kumbukgaha Mulla Road, Maduwegedara Yatiyana Road and the Olakala West Turu Sevana Road in Attanagalla was started now. The distance to be developed is 2.5 km. The estimated cost is Rs. 20 million,” the State Minister said.
Parliamentarian Upul Mahendra, Former PC member Sandhya Siriwardena, Attanagalla Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Priyantha Pushpakumara and several PS members were present.
