Sri Lanka mini-poll: Akkeripatthu PS upgraded to a Municipality

An attempt to gain political benefits prior to elections.

by Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon

(January 07, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The CaFFE vehemently oppose the surprising and unwitting action of Hon. Minister A.L.M. Athawulla’s decision to elevate a large portion of his electorate, belonging to Akkeripatthu Local Government control area, upgraded to the level of Municipality, without adhering to proper procedures such as gazette notification.

Until now, the above electoral area belonging to the Minister had existed as a Local Government body. Few hours before the Local Government elections were officially announced, the Ministry Secretary has issued a letter affirming the promotion of 23 election centers belonging to the above area, as a Municipality Councils. At least, the gazette notification related to the above elevation was not printed until 7 January 2011, 9.30am.

This is the first time in the Sri Lankan history that a local government has been upgraded to the level of Municipality all at once.

This elevation taken in order to fulfill political needs has categorically denied the practice methodology and the transparency that should have been practiced in the local government system.

There is no example in the Sri Lankan history of such action in the local government. Usually, a local government is elevated to the level of a town council. However, all these formalities have been neglected with concern to the Akkeripatthu Local Government control area. Moreover, 23 election centers are included in the new municipality that belonged to the local government control area. As a result, the new Akkeripatthu Local Government is limited to merely five (5) election centers. The new allocation of boundaries has clearly violated the foundational principles of the local government.

CaFFE repeatedly points out the importance of implementing standardized procedures in a considerate manner due to the ethnic composition that is present in the Eastern Province. For instance, the elevation of Trincomalee and Ampara town councils to Municipalities is an issue long debated. There are complications that need to be addressed in the local government area of Dehiaththakandiya where there are over 50,000 voters. The implementation of a new municipality clearly shows the break down of the basic principles of management.

It is evident that there is a great political influence in the inappropriate actions taken by the local government. CaFFE strongly believes that political parties and other civil organizations should pay attention to these hidden political agendas that are present in the formation of local governments.