ITAK has launched a sharp challenge to the government’s Praja Shakthi programme, warning it undermines the Constitution, bypasses elected local bodies, and sets a troubling precedent for governance in Sri Lanka.
The Ilangai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) has formally opposed the government’s Praja Shakthi programme, raising serious constitutional and governance concerns. Party Media Spokesperson and former Member of Parliament M. A. Sumanthiran said the initiative functions as a party driven structure rather than a legitimate state mechanism.
He explained that Praja Shakthi is being implemented alongside the established state machinery, calling this parallel system both incorrect and dangerous. According to Sumanthiran, such an approach weakens existing administrative frameworks and creates confusion in public governance.
The former MP further argued that development activities meant to be carried out by democratically elected local government representatives are instead being executed through the Praja Shakthi programme. This, he said, obstructs the proper functioning of local institutions and undermines the authority granted to them by voters.
Sumanthiran stressed that the programme is unconstitutional and warned that ITAK will pursue legal action against it in the future.
