The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the Answers are as follows:

¶ 02 01. Yes, such incidents have been reported.

¶ 03 02. Southern Province - Galle Municipal Council Sabaragamuwa Province - Godakawela Pradeshiya Sabha Northern Province - Jaffna Municipal Council; Poonakary (Chavakachcheri South) Pradeshiya Sabha; Velanai South (Chalakamam South) Pradeshiya Sabha

¶ 04 03. Sabaragamuwa Province: The Commissioner of Local Government has appointed officers to conduct an inquiry into the incident at the Godakawela Pradeshiya Sabha.

¶ 05 Southern Province: The Commissioner of Local Government has reported that an inquiry will be conducted into the incidents at the Galle Municipal Council. Necessary action will be taken as instructed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. A complaint has also been lodged with the Police to proceed under the general law regarding the incident at the Galle Municipal Council.

¶ 06 Northern Province: The Commissioner of Local Government has reported that inquiries have commenced and action is being taken regarding incidents reported from local authorities in the Northern Province.

¶ 07 04. Under the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, local government is a fully devolved subject, and the supervisory powers over local authorities are vested in the Minister in charge of the subject at provincial level. As the Provincial Councils are currently inactive, those supervisory powers are exercised by the respective Governors. Accordingly, decisions regarding these reported incidents will be taken by the Governors upon conclusion of the ongoing inquiries.