Political tensions in Sri Lanka have escalated after Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, a lawmaker and leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, claimed that the government is afraid to hold Provincial Council elections and is unwilling to share power. Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, he accused the administration led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake of deliberately delaying the electoral process to maintain centralized control.
Ponnambalam stated that the absence of Provincial Council elections is not due to administrative challenges but reflects a political decision rooted in fear. The councils, originally established to promote regional governance and address ethnic disparities, have remained inactive for years. According to him, the government’s reluctance to revive these institutions highlights a broader resistance to devolving authority, particularly in areas with significant Tamil populations.
He also pointed to what he described as a failure to fulfill promises made to the Tamil community since the current administration came to power more than a year ago. Despite expectations of progress on long-standing political issues, Ponnambalam said there has been no meaningful action. He noted that President Dissanayake, given his extensive political experience, is fully aware of the challenges facing the country and should either implement feasible solutions or clearly state what cannot be achieved.
The remarks reflect ongoing frustrations among Tamil political leaders, who have consistently advocated for greater autonomy and meaningful participation in governance. The issue of power-sharing has remained central to Sri Lanka’s political discourse, particularly in the post-conflict era. Provincial Councils were intended to serve as a mechanism for decentralization, yet their effectiveness has been undermined by delays and limited authority.
Addressing concerns about federalism, Ponnambalam clarified his party’s position, including in discussions with India. He said there is a persistent misconception among sections of the Sinhalese majority that Tamil demands for political rights could lead to the division of the country. Rejecting this notion, he emphasized that a federal framework could secure the rights of Tamil people without threatening national unity.
He added that this position has been consistently reiterated in discussions with other Tamil political groups, including the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi. According to him, there is a shared understanding among these parties that achieving political rights does not require partition but does require meaningful devolution of power.
Ponnambalam further argued that the government’s reliance on Provincial Governors demonstrates its unwillingness to share authority. These governors, appointed by the central administration, exercise significant control over provincial affairs. In the absence of elected councils, their role becomes even more dominant, effectively allowing the central government to govern regions without direct electoral accountability.
He said this approach undermines the democratic purpose of the Provincial Council system and raises concerns about governance standards. By avoiding elections and maintaining control through appointed officials, the government, he argued, is weakening democratic institutions and limiting the ability of local communities to influence decisions that affect them.
The continued delay in holding Provincial Council elections has also sparked wider debate about constitutional responsibilities and political will. While authorities have previously cited technical and legal obstacles, critics like Ponnambalam believe these reasons do not fully explain the prolonged inaction. Instead, they see it as a deliberate strategy to avoid sharing power.
