By Franklin. R. Satyapalan
The Presidential Commission of Inquiry Into Local Government Reforms is tied up in knots following the insistence of its chairman, Dr. H.A.P. Abeywardene, that proceeding be in Sinhala only.

This has angered other members of the commission, particularly Mr. N. Selvakkumaran of the Law Faculty of the Colombo University who withdrew from the first public sitting of the commission last week when no interpreter was provided. Selvakkumaran is the only non-Sihalese on the commission.

Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Alavi Moulana said yesterday that if there are any problems, they must be sorted out. He described the chairman as a ``very knowledgeable man.'' All members of the commission must co-operate if the commission is to achieve its objectives, the minister said.

``I am told that the commission has done a good job so far. If there is any misunderstanding, we won't hesitate to settle the problem,'' he said.

Well informed sources said that Mr. R. Abeyratne, a former Commissioner of Local Government and Chairman of the Salaries and Cadres Committee was the first choice to head the commission. But he was not appointed due to the influence of a very senior official. Dr. Abeywardene was a former Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

At the first public sitting of the commission, Mr. S.Y. Pussadeniya, Secretary to the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, was invited to address the members. He asked whether he could speak in English so that everybody could understand him.

Dr. Abeywardene asked him to speak in Sinhala although previous proceedings had been in English.