Opposition to devolution prevented early end to war - Kiriella

If some leading figures in the current government had not opposed the concept of devolution in 2001, the war would have ended long before May 2009, the UNP said yesterday.Senior Vice President of the UNP, Lakshman Kiriella MP, said that the word "devolution" was anathema to many of those who were now playing a different tune.If only the recent converts who were enjoying the benefits of devolution had thought differently then, precious lives could have been saved and the violence would have ended long before 2009,
the MP claimed.

The government, he said, had belatedly agreed to hold the Northern Provincial Council Election (NPCE) in September and under the present Constitution, but considering the pressure that was being exerted by the extremist forces within its ranks, no one could be certain if in fact it would be held this year, he said.

Kiriella said that some of those who wielded considerable influence were campaigning for a total abolition of the Provincial Council System and it won’t be surprising if they attempted to delay the NPCE as long as possible through legal action.

The Rajapksa regime was heading for a certain defeat if and when the NCPE was held. So, it would try every trick up its sleeve to avoid the inevitable, he observed.