We Are Not Weakening Provincial Councils: Minister Bimal

27-Jul-2025

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Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations that the government is trying to weaken provincial councils.

Responding in Parliament on July 25, during the oral questions session, he addressed the claims made by MP Chanakyan Rasamanickam that ministries are systematically undermining the provincial council system.

Minister Rathnayake said: "This year, we have allocated three times more funds to provincial councils than in previous years, despite inheriting a bankrupt country. The Finance Ministry has allocated necessary funds to relevant institutions, including for road development. There is no attempt to weaken the provincial council system."

He further clarified: "Each road belongs to a specific institution. We are working fairly. MPs from the North know how fairly we have acted. We've allocated triple the budget to provincial councils. But don’t use this issue for racist politics or cheap drama."