The Mahanayakes of Malwatte and Asgiri Chapters yesterday stressed the need to abolish the provincial council system in the country.

Addressing a group of representatives from All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC), the Asgiri Mahanayake, the Most. Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkita Thera said one should not be afraid of India or any other country when taking a decision to abolish this system. He said the 1987 IndoLanka Accord should be annulled. He said, "The then President the late J.R. Jayewardene signed this agreement despite advice against it by the Mahanayakes. There was not much resistance to it at that time. President Jayewardene signed it for political reasons. Today, the problem has worsened. If land and police powers are devolved to the provinces, what else will be left for the central government?"

He said there should be a unitary state without provincial councils. However, the Mahanayake of Malwatte Chapter, the Most Ven. Thibbotuwave Sri Sumangala Thera said the executive presidency, the provincial council system and the preferential voting system should all be abolished for the good of the country. "There are so many political representatives in the various governing bodies. Yet, there is virtually nothing being done for people. They work for themselves. I personally believe that the provincial council system should be abolished," he said.

He said the 1987 IndoLanka Accord should be annulled. He said, "The then President the late J.R. Jayewardene signed this agreement despite advice against it by the Mahanayakes. There was not much resistance to it at that time. President Jayewardene signed it for political reasons. Today, the problem has worsened. If land and police powers are devolved to the provinces, what else will be left for the central government?"

He said there should be a unitary state without provincial councils. However, the Mahanayake of Malwatte Chapter, the Most Ven. Thibbotuwave Sri Sumangala Thera said the executive presidency, the provincial council system and the preferential voting system should all be abolished for the good of the country. "There are so many political representatives in the various governing bodies. Yet, there is virtually nothing being done for people. They work for themselves. I personally believe that the provincial council system should be abolished," he said.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka