Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Mustapha said that a decision to request to establish a Pradeshiya Sabha in Sainthamaruthu will be taken only after having discussions with all relevant political parties in that area.
“All political parties should agree unanimously to make a change,” said the Minister addressing the media today at the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government.
People have been demanding for a separate Pradeshiya sabha in Sainthamaruthu, from the Kalmunai Municipal Council area since 1988.
However, it gained momentum only after Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe promised during his election campaign that he would declare Sainthamaruthu Pradeshiya Sabha on the request of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauf Hakeem.
Minister Mustapha said that the Prime Minister is still with stance to establish a Pradeshiya sabha in Sainthamaruthu and added that there are issues to declare as there are suggestions to divide the Kalmunai Municipal Council into four Pradeshiya Sabhas.
"Therefore, a final decision pertaining to declaring Samithamaruthu Pradeshiya Sabha cannot be taken without the consent of all political parties in that area," he said.