Asked whether he, too, supported the ongoing campaign undertaken by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and the National Freedom Front (NFF) calling for the cancellation of the Northern PC polls citing security concerns, Premadasa said that the people of the Northern Province couldn’t be deprived of the right to exercise their franchise at PC polls, while PCs functioned in other provinces.
The former UNP Deputy Leader said that the government couldn’t deprive people living in a particular area of rights exercised by their counterparts elsewhere.
Responding to a query, the UNPer said that whatever those opposed to the PC system said the government would never be able to justify putting off the Northern PC polls four years after the conclusion of the conflict.
Premadasa pointed out that the military had repeatedly claimed that de-mining in the Vanni region was in its last phase with only an area of 96 sq. km. remaining to be demined.
For those still promoting the 13th Amendment as the solution for the national problem, the forthcoming Northern PC polls meant a lot, the MP said. "They are now struggling to have the election in accordance with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, whereas an influential section of the government is opposed to the northern polls."
Premadasa said that even those opposed to the northern PC polls were divided. "Some want the government to do away with the PCs by abolishing the 13th Amendment, whereas a section seeks to dilute it. There is a belief that the 13th Amendment can be retained after it is stripped of police and land powers."
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