In an indirect respond to Indian Prime Minister Modi Minister Basil Rajapaksa says that before taking about 13th amendment and devolution of powers the Tamil national Alliance (TNA) should work with Central Government, according to ‘The Hindu’. Prime Minster Modi has emphasised the need to full implementation of the 13thAmndment to Sri Lanka Constitution, which devolves power to the provinces, according to Media reports. “The prime minister stressed the need for a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, dignity, justice and self respect within the framework of a united Sri Lanka,” an official Indian Government statement said.
In a Colombo datelined report The Hindu says that ‘the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) should work with existing powers before demanding further devolution, Sri Lanka’s Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said on Thursday (28th).
The Hindu report further says that Minster Rajapaksa’s ”comments come less than a week after the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which leads the Northern Provincial Council, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.”
On the TNA’s visit to New Delhi, Mr. Basil Rajapaksa said: “We knew they were planning to go. Some others, former politicians, also seem to be trying for an appointment, but the TNA got it.”
In the meeting with Mr. Modi, the TNA sought India’s help in pressuring the Sri Lankan government to devolve more powers to the provinces as per the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution, which followed the Indo-Sri Lanka accord of 1987. Mr. Modi is said to have reiterated India’s position on the matter, assuring the visiting Tamil leaders that India was committed to engaging with Sri Lanka on the full implementation of the 13th Amendment and “going beyond,” as was promised by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier.
Read the Hindu report here