A clause to protect the country in the event of an abuse of powers will be introduced to the new constitution, Constitutional Assembly Steering Committee member Dr. Jayampath Wickramaratne said today. 

Addressing the Parliament he said the clause would allow the Centre to dissolve provincial councils or take over their power, should the Provincial Council act against the unity, territorial integrity and independence of the country. 

Dr. Wickramaratne pointed out, the current constitution did not contain a clause that protected the unitary nature of the state in this manner, if powers are devolved to provincial councils.

He also said the main Tamil political party – the Tamil National Alliance - which is clamouring for a devolution of powers, had no objections to the safeguard.