The ruling SLFP led by President Rajapkse has officially submitted its proposals to solve the national conflict. The first sentence of the proposals is that the government works on the basis of Mahinda Chinthana that was formulated in consultation with their allies prior to the Presidential polls.

When the government rejected proposals made by the majority of the Experts’ Panel, it was clear that it could not put forward any meaningful solution.

While the unit of devolution today is the province, the SLFP suggests the district as the unit of devolution. If talks of devolution of powers at the district level.

The proposals suggest to increase the umber of districts from 25 to 30. It also proposes a Chief Minister for such district and three executive committees. The SLFP has also recommended that Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, Pradesha Sabas and village Councils also as units of devolution. Two District Councils situated in contiguous areas can be together if the people prefer it.

It also proposes a cabinet form of government instead of the Executive Presidential System. It further states that if there is no consensus to abolish the Executive Presidency, relevant amendments can be enacted.

It is clear that the government offers devolution which is less than what exists today. This is similar to what was offered under the Dudley-Chelva Pact, which never saw the light of day in 1981. President Jayawardene attempted to implement the District Council system and failed.

It is therefore, strange that President Rajapakse’s government spells out a devolution of powers at the District level after long periods of Tamil struggle. The SLFP proposals are old wine in old bottles.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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