Sri Lanka Miffed At India's Call To Implement 13A

A host of important matters were discussed at a virtual bilateral discussion carried out last Saturday between Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

- Kelum Bandara

Subsequently, a joint statement was issued for the first time in ten years. The statement contained numerous positive points for the furtherance of economic cooperation and the development of Buddhist heritage sites. Irrespective of this public debate is directed at India’s call for the implementation of the 13th Amendment in the Constitution. In fact, the Sri Lankan side is miffed at the Indian leader emphasising, once again, on the need to implement it.

The statement says, “Prime Minister Modi called on the Government of Sri Lanka to address the aspirations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace, and respect within a united Sri Lanka, including by carrying forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment in the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed the confidence that Sri Lanka will work towards realising the expectations of all ethnic groups, including Tamils, by achieving reconciliation nurtured as per the mandate of the people of Sri Lanka and implementation of the Constitutional provisions”.

The points related to the entire gamut of bilateral relations are highlighted in the statement, but the references to the 13th Amendment and a ‘united Sri Lanka’ has sparked a public debate that has consumed media space otherwise meant to be reserved for highlighting positives.

The timing of such mentioning is the reason here. An open political discussion is already underway whether the Provincial Councils established in terms of the 13th Amendment are appropriate in today’s context.