The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala

¶ 01 Sir, I second the Motion moved by Hon. Kabir Hashim. It is very important. When the PS unanimously approves spending its funds to develop local roads, it is wrong to obstruct it through the Provincial Commissioner or the Governor. It harms the institution and the people of the area. Elected representatives approved these proposals unanimously—there is no Government-Opposition divide here—so we are suspicious.

¶ 02 After the local government elections, when authorities were formed, the Government said funds would not be provided to bodies not under their control. Now it is worse: even spending their own funds according to members’ proposals is being blocked. The Minister must act immediately. We also saw when appointing Chairmen that Provincial Commissioners acted on their own preferences. Such preference should not exist—the will lies with the people. From the LG elections onward, this Government has been obstructing democracy; we have not seen such before. If there is corruption, the Governor may intervene accordingly, but stopping people-driven development proposals—does the Commissioner or Governor have that power? We wish to know. If this continues across many local bodies where we hold power, we will go to court, and ultimately the liability will fall on these officials. Please allow elected representatives to implement activities for their people.