Introduction on implementation of the provincial councils

As per 13th Amendment to the Constitution made in 1987 to Sri Lanka Constitution 1978, it was commenced to establish the provincial councils under the provisions of Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 42 of 1987. Under an unitary constitution, devolution of power to the provincial councils was the objective of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Such power devolved has been inserted into the Provincial Council List and Concurrence List. The rest power has been given to the central government by a Reserved List. It has been mentioned in 13th Amendment to the Constitution that each provincial council as well as the central government has the power to enact the conventions and statutes with regard to the subjects included in the Concurrence List. Under 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the provisions have been made to establish one provincial council in every province in Sri Lanka. Furthermore,it has been indicated that a provincial council will be established for every province mentioned in Appendix in 08th Schedule of the constitution with effect from the date or dates stipulated by the orders published in the gazette by the president as per Article 154 a(1). As indicated in that schedule, the provincial councils should be established for the under-mentioned provinces. 

1. Western Province
2. North West Province
3. Uva Province
4. Sabaragamuwa Province
5. Central Province
6. Eastern Province
7. Southern Province
8. North Central Province
9. Northern Province

When the provincial councils are established in accordance with 13th Amendment to the Constitution, it has been indicated that the provincial council should be established taking into account the number of members, land area and the population in the province and the provincial councils were implemented with effect from 03rd February 1988 by an Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 491/10 published on 05.02. 1988 by the President in compliance with such provisions. The number of members and number of electorates included in the provincial councils have been decided by an Extraordinary Gazette Notification No.499/10 dated 31.03.1988.
The provincial council consists with a Governor, Chief Minister and ministers and selected number of members. It has been mentioned in Article 154 (E)) (1) of the Constitution that the number of ministers should be maximum 05 including the Chief Minister.
The Governor is the executive of the provincial council and the Governor should be appointed by the President as per 154(b) of the constitution. As published in the gazette No. 491/17 dated 03.02.1988, the number of members has been stipulated as follows for the under-mentioned provincial councils..