By Damith Wickremesekera A constitutional crisis is in the making over the Government’s move to vest with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) some key functions exercised by provincial and local councils. Western Province Chief Minister Isuru Devapriya, who has been in consultation with the nine provincial councils, said yesterday that such a move contravened the [...]

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Crisis brewing over UDA getting powers of PCs

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By Damith Wickremesekera

A constitutional crisis is in the making over the Government’s move to vest with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) some key functions exercised by provincial and local councils.

Western Province Chief Minister Isuru Devapriya, who has been in consultation with the nine provincial councils, said yesterday that such a move contravened the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. “We will introduce legislation in the different PCs to prevent the UDA from taking over the functions,” he told the Sunday Times. There were also indications this move may be challenged in courts if other efforts fail.

From February 1, the Government has vested the UDA with the power to approve building plans and give clearance for industries, fuel stations and construction of buildings of national importance. These functions were earlier exercised by the PCs and local councils.

Chief Minister Devapriya said these powers had been given to the PCs under the Provincial Councils Act, which came as a result of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. This could not be changed arbitrarily.

As a retaliatory measure, Mr. Devapriya warned that the Councils would refrain from providing other public facilities like clearing garbage and the supply of water.

Local councils are required at present to seek approval from the PCs when they open up or plan to develop roads under their purview.This also might be stopped, he warned.

Protests by the Provincial Councils appear to be bi-partisan. Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva told the Sunday Times, “We will use our powers to introduce laws to ensure the functions are not taken away.” He said both the PCs and the local councils had been enjoying these powers for 30 years.

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said that the new move went against the principles of devolution. People who had the PCs or the local councils in their areas to transact business would not be forced to travel to the UDA in Colombo to conclude their transactions.

UDA Chairman Jagath Munasinghe admitted that some powers exercised by the PCs and local councils were being taken over. He said that the new scheme was already in operation.

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