NPC asks AKD to strengthen PCs

The National Peace Council (NPC) has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to strengthen Provincial Council system by reducing the powers of the Governors appointed by the President.

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The PCs were introduced through the enactment of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in terms of the Indo-Lanka Accord signed in July 1987.

The following is the text of statement issued by the NPC: “Sri Lanka has received a breathing space of three months to negotiate with the US government regarding tariffs to be imposed on Sri Lankan exports which is of utmost importance as the US is Sri Lanka's largest export market. Sri Lanka faces a similar challenge to protect its export markets with regard to the EU, which is currently favouring Sri Lanka with its GSP Plus tariff concession. This tariff reduction is conditional on Sri Lanka's adherence to 27 specified human rights conventions. Sri Lankans, including the political leadership, should come to terms with the fact that we need to have cooperative relations with major powers, whether it is America, China, Europe or India.