Friday, January 27, 2012

Police powers should be devolved to PCs - Vasudeva

 Minister of National Languages and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara has said that police powers should be devolved to Provincial Councils.  Speaking to the ‘Ravaya’ newspaper, this would subject the activities of the police to broader supervision than in the present.

 Passing over police powers to PC would not create issues as a DIG has been appointed to every province, the Minister has said.

 He has added that it would only be right to do so.

 Speaking on decentralizing land powers, the Minister has said that a joint commission should decide on how to govern state owned land and property.

 Noting that measures on decentralizing land powers should be taken in a manner that will be fair to all masses, the minister had further added that this will further bring about a closer public relationship with provincial councils.

 Meanwhile, at the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday, Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Media, Keheliya Rambukwella has said that though there is no big issue when it comes to decentralizing land powers, there is a serious issue on the system of devolving police powers.

Srilankamirror