Referring to the recently concluded local government elections, President Maithripala Sirisena said that it is imperative that the local government elections act be further amended allowing only those parties that won the majority of the vote to rule the particular local government body.
Sirisena
The President made these observations when he met with heads of media institutions this morning (6th) at the President’s House.
“It is not a healthy situation for the country to have over 8000 representatives at the local government level. This number will be cut in half once the terms of the councils elected (on February 10th) ends,” he said.
justice / April 6, 2018
The Provincial Councils Act of JR created the ‘white elephant’ – a plethora of peripheral politicians in various bodies, apart from parliament, costing billions for pay, perks & unnecessary travel etc.
Now, the ‘tail – of “local government” – is wagging the dog – ‘parliament’.
This shows in the President’s thinking – he appears more concerned about these peripheral bodies of ‘minor’ politicians than about parliament.
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Sarrij / April 6, 2018
J.
This opportunist, the President is more concerned of his own future. He has been a failure; he knows that his days in Politics are numbered.
It’s too late for any substantial change. Perhaps he should resign for a substantial change?
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old codger / April 7, 2018
Pretty muddled thinking, as to be expected from MS these days. If the party with the most seats (let’s say 5 out of 12) gets the chairmanship, how will issues be decided at voting time?
As SJ says, this guy needs a break. Let him not meddle in things he doesn’t understand, like bras and women’s drinking. I wouldn’t be surprised if the presidential wife has been driven to drink already.
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SJ / April 6, 2018
We can bend the rules, and bend them again and again and again until we think that we will get the result that we want.
But no amount of bending will salvage a bankrupt political system.
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How does one define the winning party? By votes cast? Seats won?
What happens in the event of a tie?
What happens if no party has more than a third of the seats?
Does he really mean going back to the earlier system?
When did he realise that 8000 was too many? Didn’t someone do the arithmetic for him before Feb. 10?
The man sounds rather confused. Perhaps, he needs a break.
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Sinhala_Man / April 7, 2018
Yes, SJ,
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It is true that My3 is fast becoming a write off.
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Allowing decision making at lower levels may be fine if it were low key, fair, and shorn of ceremony.
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Provincial Council Elections yet to come. All this costs money, which would still be cheaper than wars, killings and arson. But we seen to have all of that as well.
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What solutions would you suggest?
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Park / April 6, 2018
The problem with the LG is that the nominations were based on political parties. In all developed democracies the local government elections are held not on political party basis but on an individual basis. Individuals register as contestants and the voters vote. Who ever wins get seats. Why cannot Sri Lanka follow same? Why do we need political parties involved in local governments. If we are saying “Kottasata Ekkkenek” then why poke the political parties there?
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Sarrij / April 6, 2018
P.
Unfortunately SL is a Banana Republic.
Democracy? my foot.
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Pygmalion / April 6, 2018
SJ.
Plane sections remain plane before and after bending.As for the President he is just plain!
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SJ / April 11, 2018
Pygs
I do not quite understand your geometry.
But is the man plain or plain stupid?
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K.Pillai / April 6, 2018
“Local Government Elections Act To Be Amended, Parties That Win Will Control Councils: President”
Why not consider making ‘party hopping’ illegal?
LG must be about local issues. National issues need not get raised. The main issue at the recent LG election was language/religion-divide.
Quote ~ “It is not a healthy situation for the country to have over 8000 representatives at the local government level………..”.
Do we need the jumbo jumpo (mumbo) Cabinet?
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Plato. / April 6, 2018
SJ.
Your line…….Perhaps he needs a break….
He will soon have his break or even brake!
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Jim softy / April 7, 2018
See the 50 years and 40 years of experience. They can not do anything in one shot. Even the bond scam they needed two times to do their best. third time banks di dnot any money left. The just shared the profits for printng pieces of papers.
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Thanga / April 12, 2018
Who made this horrendous mess in the first place? Are there Ministers/Politicians with thinking hat on? Parties/Candidates with low as 0.9% got elected as members! There was no cut-off point. Every vote cast was counted!
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