By President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been criticised for talking much on the national question and not delivering as promised, has endorsed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution for a stronger local economy, assuring non-interference.
Explaining how devolution helps economic development, the president said that Sri Lanka should learn from countries like Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and France about independent regional economies.
Explaining how devolution helps economic development, the president said that Sri Lanka should learn from countries like Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and France about independent regional economies.
He said that only the Western Province has financial independence.
During a meeting with professionals in Jaffna, President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged that each province should use the powers granted by the 13th constitutional amendment to develop their provinces.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the intent to establish an advisory council to offer guidance to provincial governors until the operationalization of the provincial councils in Parliament. Noting the entrenched role of Provincial Councils within the governance structure and political landscape of the country, the President emphasized the opportunity to effect a substantial transformation in constructing an effective, transparent, and corruption-free Provincial Council system that commands public trust and addresses citizen concerns.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has acknowledged the challenges in reaching consensus, particularly with sensitive matters like police powers during the devolution of authority to Provincial Councils under the 13th Amendment. He underscored the importance of unity in executing these initiatives.
