The government yesterday denied that it was acting against Provincial Council laws and the concept of devolution by taking over certain regional hospitals.

Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, when asked, at the Cabinet press briefing held in the Parliamentary complex, if the government’s decision to take over the functioning of the Batticaloa and Ampara hospitals, militates against the concept of devolution, as envisaged in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, said that it had been done with the Eastern Provincial Council’s permission.

"In both these cases, the Provincial Council has given its consent. We cannot assign any of the devolved subjects to the Centre, without the provincial authority’s permission."

Export Development and International Trade Minister G.L. Peiris, said that in some situations, the concerned Provincial Councils, do not have the necessary finances to maintain their major hospitals and the government was forced to run them.

The Memorandum, seeking Cabinet approval for the Batticaloa and Ampara hospitals to be brought under the Central government’s control, was moved by Indigenous Minister Tissa Karaliyadde.

Yapa said that the Cabinet of Ministers also approved a proposal by Water Supply and Drainage Board Minister A.L.M. Athaulla, to implement the Greater Water Supply Projects for Kathankudy and Ratnapura.