The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 A name could not be established; it could not be protected. Overall, from a social, economic, political, and cultural perspective, the unitary system has failed in terms of human rights. Therefore, without proper power sharing, we cannot resolve the national ethnic question, foster national reconciliation, or build the national economy. This must be understood.

¶ 02 As for public administration and provincial and local authorities, divisional and district secretariats bear responsibilities. Regarding the divisional secretariats created in the past within Batticaloa District, Eravur Pattu and Porativu Pattu Divisional Secretariats exist and cover vast land areas with a large number of Grama Niladhari divisions. Since each divisional secretariat includes roughly 40 GN divisions, entities like Eravur Pattu and Porativu Pattu should actually be split into two each. By such division, there will be more opportunities to deliver services to people affected by the war. This too must be addressed.

¶ 03 Likewise, we have long discussed the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat; a solution has still not been found. You must pay attention to this as well.

¶ 04 Further, the 60:40 mixed electoral model introduced under the previous administration—electing representatives 60% by ward and 40% by proportional list—has created serious problems in local authorities. Beyond the ward and proportional seats, “hanging seats” brought in through this system have meant no council can form a stable administration. Members become dependent on other parties, with crossovers induced by money—bribery and corruption. Therefore, local authority elections must be converted to a purely proportional representation system or to a 70:30 system combining wards and proportional representation.

¶ 05 [The Hon. Presiding Member] Hon. Member, your allotted time is over.

¶ 06 Give me two minutes, Hon. Presiding Member. Therefore, local authority elections should be conducted under proportional representation; if not feasible now, then in subsequent rounds. The 60:40 system has created major issues and should be removed. I also note that shortcomings in the provincial council system have prolonged the national ethnic issue; it needs reform. In that sense, only a political solution based on a federal-type framework can resolve these problems. With that, I conclude. Thank you.