The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will never be able to achieve anything by capturing the Northern Provincial Council because they will not receive the funds required to deliver the service to the people through the 13th Amendment, says UPFA chief ministerial candidate S. Thavarasa.

He stated that the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) is working together as the UPFA to win the forthcoming Provincial Council elections and that they are the only party which can deliver the benefit of the 13th Amendment or the benefit of the Provincial Council system to the people.

“… We are working together as UPFA to win the forthcoming Provincial Council elections and we tell the people that out of the parties contesting the election we are the only party which can deliver them the benefit of the 13th Amendment or the benefit of the Provincial Council system,” he told Ada Derana in an exclusive interview.

Mr Thavarasa stated that the reason for this is because the EPDP, a constituent party of the ruling alliance, is part of the government and therefore they would be able to secure the needed funds to carry out the development the other activities that come under the purview of the provincial administration.  

“So we explain this to the people and we tell them that by supporting those who are carrying out agitative type of politics will never be able to do anything for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Sinnathurai Thavarasa, a former Member of Parliament and the Advisor to Minister Douglas Devananda, is UPFA’s lead candidate for the Northern Provincial Council election.

Speaking on the much debated police and land powers, he stated that according to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution police and land powers are already with the Provincial Council, however the President and the government had to make “certain regulatory arraignments” to enjoy those powers.

He, however, stated that so far these powers have not been granted and that there is a reason for this. “The Sinhalese feel - because of the political agenda of the Tamil community or the TNA and the Diaspora is carrying out - that at this juncture giving those powers may lead to misuse.”

Thavarasa stated that the EPDP is engaged in politics where they can build up that trust. “Over a period of time we can create a situation where the Sinhalese people and the people in the South will have confidence that by giving these powers to the people of the North or event the other provinces they will never misuse,” he said.

He stated that the EPDP, as part of the UPFA, are on a mission to achieve this target and that although it may take a little time the party is hopeful that it will definitely be achieved in due course of time.

He further said that the TNA will never be able to deliver anything by capturing the Northern Provincial Council. Because, though the powers are there according to the 13th Amendment, to deliver the service to the people through the 13A or the provisions of the 13A you need funds, he said.

Citing TNA controlled Pradeshiya Sabhas in the North as an example he stated that they are unable to even provide “light bulbs” to the people because they are lacking funds. “How can they administer a Provincial Council?”

If you carry on with “agitative politics” to capture any local body or Provincial Councils by telling that you are going to bring the international community and you going to teach a lesson to the government, which government will give funds to such a provincial administration or local body, he questioned.   

“So this is the reality wee tell the people and we hope they understand and we will have a sweeping victory in the forthcoming elections,” he said.