Dilemmas of Power Devolution in Modern Sri Lanka

Abstract

In post-Prabhakaran phase, once again, it is absolutely essential to re-commence the peace process through devolution of political powers in Sri Lanka. Till date the government's actions have divided the people and not united them. From the first Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact of 1957 to the present proposal of Mahinda Rajapaksa the yester governments have denied the basic characteristics. the internal ethnic war does not develop in vacuum or automatically, but stems from deep rooted socio-economic and political grievances that cannot be redressed by normal political means. Even in Sri Lankan context all the people whether they be Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher - all accept that the territorial integrity of the country must be safeguarded. Let us commit ourselves to a negotiated political solution acceptable to all communities based on democracy to save Sri Lanka from division and establish peace in the country and harmony in society as well. The power devolution model of Sri Lanka can also be useful for other countries of the region and in the world where ethnic identities has reached the staged of ethnic war.

Keywords: Sri Lanka, Tamils, Sinhalas, Power distribution, developmental prospect.