The government is ready to consider the allocation of certain areas under land and police powers to the provinces, Cabinet Spokesperson and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.
He told The Sunday Leader that the government had concerns over the implementation of land and police powers as outlined in the 13th Amendment in its entirety.
“There are concerns over allocating land and police powers in its entirety, but certain areas under them could be allocated to the provinces,” he said.
He explained that the government had to consider many issues with regard to land and police powers to the provinces.
With regard to police powers, he pointed out that the clause in the 13th Amendment that the Police Commissioner would be responsible only to the respective Chief Minister gave rise to concerns.
“Sri Lanka is a small country and we need to keep in mind the incident where the head of state from a neighboring country was prevented from visiting another state within the country by the police in the respective state,” he observed.
Referring to the incident, Rambukwella said that such implications could only occur if police powers were devolved to the provinces.
However, he noted that powers such as addressing minor crimes and traffic issues could be allocated to the provinces.
When asked about talks between the government and the TNA, Rambukwella said the government would meet the TNA on the 17th for the first round of discussions this year.
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