PCS likely to give land powers to Govt.

Provincial Councils are expected to give their consent to the proposed Town and Countr y Planning Ordinance Amendment before Febr uar y 8, informed sources said yesterday. The Amendment empowers the central government to acquire lands within municipal and urban areas for economic, social, historical, environmental and religious purposes

It was announced at the Western Provincial Council par ty leaders’ meeting that the provincials should give their consent before the mentioned date and as such the PCS including the WPC were expected to approve this Amendment on Monday as most of the PCS were scheduled to meet on that day.

Sources said the Bill would be presented to Parliament next Wednesday.

WPC Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga had told at the par ty leaders that the provincial council should give its consent because the lands were being acquired for a good cause.

Meanwhile the Democratic People’s Front (DPF) had objected to the Amendment stating that Nor thern and Eastern provinces would be adversely affected by this move.

DPF councillor A.N. Kumargur uparan said it was not proper to dilute the powers of the local councils at a time when power devolution was being discussed as a solution to the national issue.

This Bill had earlier been submitted to the Supreme Cour t for a r uling on its constitutionality, the Cour t sent the Bill back saying it could not take a decision until the Bill was approved by all PCS.