PCS WON'T HAVE POLICE AND LAND POWERS--MR

Says no issue working with TNA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa ruled out the possibility yesterday of provincial councils having police and land powers in terms of the Constitution.

Addressing the heads of media institutions, the President said there would be no issues even if the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) won the Northern Provincial Council elections and retired Supreme Court Judge C.V. Wigneswaran was appointed

There would be no issues even if the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) won the Northern Provincial Council elections

chief minister, as the government had full authority over land and police powers.

The president that that the government would discuss and resolve any issues that may arise. "There will be no problem if the TNA wins the elections in the Northern Province. If Mr. Wigneswaran becomes chief minister we can have a dialogue with him. The devil is not as black as he is painted," the president told media heads at Temple Trees during a breakfast meeting yesterday.

The president

The government has full authority over Land and Police Powers. This has been clearly mentioned in the Constitution.

said, "The government has full authority over Land and Police Powers. This has been clearly mentioned in the Constitution. We can talk to each other and resolve any issues that may arise."

Besides, the president said, he had closed the door to those from the opposition trying to join the government. However, he said, there was a possibility of some local government politicians joining hands with the government. Also, he said, some TNA MPs intended to work with him. With regard to the nomination of Daya Master for the Northern election being rejected, Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said there were several qualified, educated former parliamentarians applying for nominations. He said this was why Daya Master's application for nomination on the SLFP ticket had been rejected.

"We think Daya Master will work with the SLFP in the future," he said.