President tells Liam Fox: Power sharing from grass roots
UK Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox who called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa in London on December 1 discussed aspects of the wider sharing of power in Sri Lanka, and development assistance from the UK.
In discussions on the Government’s proposals for sharing power among all communities, President Rajapaksa explained that he saw the necessity for the local government authorities to be more strengthened, to ensure that the people in the different provinces would be able to have a greater say in the management of their own affairs.
He told Fox there were shortcomings in the implementation of the devolution sought by the 13th Amendment through the Provincial Councils, which necessitated action to make the Provincial Councils contribute more to the progress of the local government authorities.
He told the Secretary of State for Defence that he envisaged the strengthening of local administration at the grass roots level through village councils, in keeping with the necessity to have policies for power sharing coming from the people at the grass roots level.
Responding to Liam Fox’s interests in the constitutional process for power sharing, President Rajapaksa said that discussions were already under way with Tamil political parties that agreed to work within a united Sri Lanka, and that he would like to see the proposals for change to come from the new political leaders of the Tamil people, instead of imposing solutions from above, that would be counter productive.
The President and Fox discussed areas of assistance to Sri Lanka from the UK, especially in areas of infrastructure development, particularly in the North and the opportunities now available in Sri Lanka for investment by the private sector in the UK .
There was agreement that the friendship between Sri Lanka and the UK should be strengthened in the new situation of peace and moves for reconciliation in the country.
Source: Daily News
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- CBSL reduces monetary policy rate, sets 8% overnight rate November 27, 2024
- IMF Chief hails Sri Lanka’s economic reforms as milestones mark recovery November 27, 2024
- 2024 A/L Examination postponed: New dates announced November 26, 2024
- Sri Lanka Defence Secretary graces 53rd Bangladesh Armed Forces Day November 26, 2024
- MP Ramanathan Archchuna faces arrest warrant over 2021 traffic incident November 26, 2024
I hope our Hon President returns home soon where he is needed to lead our people and serve the nation. He is time wasting in UK at an exhorbitant cost to the treasury, money that could have been better spent on building bridges and infra-structure in remote villages.
Oxford University Students Union knew from the beginning that they cannot provide security to the President who is in grave danger of assassination. Neither can the SL High Commission organise security as it would be a tremendous cost. Had it been a state visit the British Goverment would have borne the cost of security. Why wasn’t all these logistics thought before hand by the Presidential advisers? Their butts should be kicked. This whole trip was foolhardy, a waste of time and public money, and should never have been undertaken. I do not know who advised the President to accept the invitation. Was there a conspiracy to assassinate him or even to arrest him on orders of some British high court obtained by the diaspora Tamils on false allegations of war crimes? I feel this Oxford Union meeting was the bait to get the President to visit UK in order to carry out a conspiracy to harm him. He may have been wrongly advised that it was a great honour for him. Addressing them makes no difference to the world-standing of the President. But this meeting has brought him ignominy as the OUSU has snubbed him. He is now trying to salvage the trip by meeting Liam Fox in private capacity. He has not even met the British PM. Meeting a few British and EU Parliamentarians may or may not help to seek their support. It is just face-saving strategy now to try to justify this vain-glorious trip. Please go home now Hon President before diaspora Tamil conspirators win the day.
The OU’s minutes indicate that the opportunity to the Dharaneeshwara Kalyani was provided as requested by the SLHC. The PR firm engaged by the GOSL, provided the logistical planning and support to the OU for the visit, at no cost to the OU..
So, my dear Nicholas, was the “bait” you refer to, set up by the SL HC?
The Dharaneeshwara Kalyani was not wrongfully advised (for that matter, does he receive any advice at all?); it is his arrogance that led him to London.
As he prepares to come back to SL , crestfallen and empty-handed, I wonder what follows the arrest of his entourage? Where will these WC’s be taken and what will happen to them?
There will be two vacancies in the Cabinet (or will the incumbents be allowed to continue whilst being held in the UK on WC charges?) but Cabinet vacancies are pretty easy to fill. Suggest it is time to form a national govt and offer the EA Ministry to UNP’s MS?
We live in ineteresting times, Nicholas. Please do not feel let down; keep your spirits up just like we (the residents of Vanni did) in 2008/09.
Dc
Ohe Balagena hitiya Ape Janadipathi Tuma Englanwaladi Hire Damanna. Englawala Inna Depath Nai Ekka Ekatu wela Tamuselage Parajaya bara ganna Kemathi Nethi LTTE Traschthawadeen Tika Mudal Gewala Perakadoruwan allala Hituwa De Mokada Wune. Ohelata Aye Kisima Deyak Karanna Beha Kiyala Hitanawa. Ltteya Peradila Iwarai. Ape Raja Den Lankawata Goda Behela Iwarai. Ohege Oya Kehelmal Kalyani Apprabansayath Ewagema Sihinayak Vithari. Aye Lankawe Kisima Bedum Satanak etinowana bawa Denagena inna. Ohege Oluwa hoda Nehe, Wahama Pissu Behethganna.
Nicholas
Ape Prasiden Den Lankawata Goda Bessa. Mama Den Radio Eken Okkama Ahagena hitiye. Sehena Minissu Godak , Methi Aemathi waru Katunayaka Gihin Balagena Indala Thiyenawa Janadipathituma piliganna. Ohu Mulinma Awe Mahajanaya lagatai. Minnisuta Thibune Puduma satutak.
It’s reported the Dharaneeshwara Kalyani and his entourage of merrymakers have departed.
The Dharaneeshwara Kalyani is likely to receive a hero’s welcome and I wonder he will kiss mother earth as he alights?
DC
ehewwada SB Emathi tumage ada Karapu Kathawa?