C.M. Madduma Bandara

Abstract

In ancient Sri Lanka, the emergence of the three cardinal regional Divisions of Ruhunu, Maya, and Pihiti, signified some socio-historical compulsions for regional governance. However, when the centralised government had become weakened due to historical vicissitudes, as in medieval times, numerous small subkingdoms appeared across the Island. The British colonial process of regional governance, commenced with the Colebrook Commission established in 1832. Thus, the first major step in provincial administration taken by the colonial rule was in 1833 with the abolition of the service tenure system (Rajakariya or the duty by the King) and the general administration of Kandyan areas. In 1832, Five regional units were set up, based simply on cardinal directions, namely, the Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern, and the Central Provinces. The present structure of the nine existing Provinces, to which attempts have been made to devolve powers of governance in recent times under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, were in fact, created over 133 years ago (1889) during the heyday of colonial rule, for its own geopolitical advantage. It is argued that the nine existing Provinces into which powers have now been devolved for regional governance under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, are archaic, irrational, and wasteful as they were created during the colonial era under a different historical context. The present network of spatial administrative structures in Sri Lanka is also characterized by a chaotic and confusing array of Divisions, Zones, and Ranges that are mostly inherited from colonial days. These divisions are not necessarily compatible or coterminous with each other. The proposal made here, therefore attempts to demonstrate the feasibility of re-establishing a threefold regional structure for Sri Lanka, based broadly on the ancient Divisions of Ruhunu, Maya, and Pihiti. It is contended that if the proposal is implemented, it may bestow numerous advantages and bring some long-term stability to the Country. Among others, it may contribute to national security and long-term political stability, support economic progress, promote co-existence and national harmony, increase efficiency in the conservation of natural endowments of land, water and biota, and facilitate more effective planning to mitigate natural disasters. A smaller number of larger regions will make them economically strong and viable entities, with their own earnings, expanded markets, and abilities to invest in larger projects, reflecting some economies of scale. New Regions will ensure greater integrity and conservation of National Parks, Forest Reserves and other needs of conservation and would also be helpful in managing problems like humanelephant conflicts more efficiently.

Keywords: ancient regions, colonial provinces, cost, chaos and burden on treasury, three larger regions in place of nine, merits of the proposal, a new regional map for Sri Lanka