The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the Motion by Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy highlights an important problem. Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu initially described the DCC as a development committee — that slipped. It is the District Coordinating Committee. You later corrected yourself.

¶ 02 The problem is this: there is no other forum so politicized. Be careful — it is a double-edged weapon. It was started by J.R. Jayewardene to exercise central authority where the Government had none. He even appointed former Minister A.R. Mansoor of Kalmunai as head for Mullaitivu District. When local authorities or provincial power were not with the Government, DCCs were used to retain political control. Do not forget that; I say this for all Tamil-speakers and others as well. Sinhala-speaking Members also know — this is the final corrupt instrument to retain power where it cannot be otherwise obtained.

¶ 03 While there are good points in the Motion, the fundamental issue remains: there is no clear structure as to who presides. It falls under the President; the National Planning Department will ask for approvals. The Governor may preside, or an ordinary MP of that area may preside. Today it looks nice because you are in Government. But when you are in Opposition, Governments will use it to hold political authority in areas where they have the majority. Thus, the DCC was introduced to blur or undermine devolved authority; it does not help minorities.

¶ 04 Therefore, do not rush in your enthusiasm. You must know how the Chairman is selected, what the composition is — include Provincial Council members, the Chief Minister, the Governor, and local authority chairmen. They are people’s representatives. Otherwise, you will face frustration later — as we do in Ampara: DCC meetings are held, nothing happens. The Governor, Mr. Wasantha Peiris, is a good man; he does what he can. But our proposals are not approved — that is another issue. Moreover, DCCs were misused by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint their preferred persons as DCC or Divisional Coordinating Committee Chairmen and to offer inducements to pull MPs to their side. Offering a divisional chairmanship is used as a method to lure MPs. Please be careful.

¶ 05 Thank you.