The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today I intended to focus entirely on the Provincial Councils Elections, but before that, I have a request from the Hon. Minister. It is regarding a request made by the All-Island Association of Birth, Death and Marriage Registrars. Since about 2014 – for the last 11 years – they have been receiving a meagre allowance of Rs. 75 for each birth, death, or marriage registration. They have requested an increase. In addition, a monthly allowance paid as “ink allowance” has also been requested to be increased. These Registrars receive only a small sum – Rs. 75 – per registration. Through their Association, they have asked that this amount be increased. I bring this to your attention.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, for those of us with minimal authority, today is like the tolling of a death knell. It is shameful and deeply painful to say this.

¶ 03 With regard to the Provincial Councils Elections, earlier Hon. Sumanthiran and thereafter Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam brought a Private Member’s Bill. Now they say it cannot be accepted. Moreover, in their Report they have stated that a Parliamentary Select Committee will soon be appointed to prepare the necessary background to hold the Provincial Councils Elections in the most appropriate manner. This is distressing. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had said he would listen not only to Tamils, Muslims and Up-country people, but also to Sinhala people who desire devolution. But now you have shown your true face!

¶ 04 In 1989 you resorted to violence against the Provincial Council elections. In 2018, when an amendment to that law was brought, 139 Members voted against it and none of the JVP Members voted either way. At that time, we did not understand why they acted like that. Now we understand: you oppose the Provincial Council system. Do not forget that what you are doing is very dangerous! You may think the anti-Provincial Council slogan you started in 1989 is now being implemented here neatly and covertly.

¶ 05 President Anura Kumara Dissanayake came here and from his Chair said, “We will conduct the Provincial Council Elections.” Did he say so? Yes, he did. Check the Hansard. Not only that, at every platform he said the Provincial Council Elections will be held. But the other day he came here and with a little smile told us, “How can I hold the elections? There is no law; make a law.” I wondered whether I was listening to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake or to what President Ranil Wickremesinghe said earlier: “There is no election; and even if there is, there is no money.” Now President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says there is money, but no law, so make a law. With 159 Members on your side, you look at us and ask us to make the law. How can we? Yes, we made laws. Hon. Rasamanickam brought a methodology. You threw it in the dustbin, and now a Report says, “No, we will appoint a new Special Committee and make our own mechanism.” Better to state openly to the people, “We do not like Provincial Councils.” Say it publicly. Then we can tell the people. Why lie? Say clearly, “We do not like Provincial Councils; we do not want to devolve power to the people.”

¶ 06 You keep saying, “We are not afraid of Provincial Council Elections; we can win.” If you are so sure you can win, then why are you refusing to hold the election under the existing method? That is what is in your hearts. Do not try to cover it up. After this, we will not give up. Out of respect to the Minister, at the very least, we could have considered voting in favour of the Head for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. But now that you are trying to abolish the Provincial Council Elections, we reject your Report and will vote against it. We will fight against your first salvo aimed at abolishing Provincial Councils. I conclude my speech. Thank you.