The government should think beyond the 13th amendment to the constitution and give self-autonomy for the people of the North, said minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara. He has made the remark to ‘Virakesari’ newspaper which asked him for a response to a resolution adopted by Communist Party of India (Marxist) regarding self-determination for Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Minister Nanayakkara has said that president Mahinda Rajapaksa could exercise his executive powers to overcome opposition by certain UPFA affiliates and grant autonomy for the Northern Province.
He has gone onto say that the provisions in the present constitution that restrict powers to the provinces are inadequate to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people
A solution to devolve powers, achieved through discussion, is the way forward, he has noted.
The central government could retain powers relating to national security and grant police powers to the provinces to deal with crimes, Mr. Nanayakkara has said.
Most of the land in the country is owned by the central government, he has pointed out, and said land issues in the provinces can be resolved through a combined effort by the central and the provincial authorities.
SLM