Government to water down Devolution

The Sinhala owned Sri Lanka Sunday Times reported on 20 August 1995:

"The government is considering several amendments to the proposed political package after various parties and interest groups pointed out that the centre must have more control over the regions.

The country is now awaiting the amended devolution proposals. It is understood that these proposals mainly intended to allay fears of the majority community will be announced this week.

The main criticism is over the provision for regional councils to directly negotiate foreign loans, internal security, alienation of state lands which come under national irrigation schemes and the 62 percent sea frontage of the North-East province.

With UNP support vital for the package to go through parliament, there seems to be a growing trend in the UNP against the proposals...UNP frontliners such as Rukman Senanayake, Susil Moonesinghe, Sarath Amunugama, Sarath Ranawake and R.A.D.Sirisena have taken the lead in opposing the proposals. The latest to join them is former Minister P.Dayaratne...

It now appears that the government will water down its package and will consider amendments to some of the provisions after hill country PA MPs such as Lakshman Kiriella and D.M.Jayaratne expressed serious reservations.."