ABOLISHMENT OF THE 13TH AMENDMENT – A SUGGESTION
Posted on November 1st, 2012
MEDIA RELEASE ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ – Sri Lanka Support Group, Canberra
It is refreshing that abolishment of the 13th Amendment has become a major issue in Sri Lanka and that ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has expressed support for this move.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There is a lot of momentum in Sri Lanka now to abolish the 13th Amendment, and as patriots we must be happy about it and must work towards that.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Given the international ramifications on the abolishment, we should bear in mind that this is a very difficult act on the part of the Sri Lankan government,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as patriots we must tryƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ everything to motivate the government to embark on the correct pathway so that the international outcry (if any) against the move is minimised.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As the wise doctor, Gunadasa Amarasekara stated the Government should have abolished the 13 Amendment soon after winning the civil war against the Tamil Tigers in 2009. Unfortunately this was not done and since then so much of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”water hasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ flown under the bridgeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The provincial council system is a white elephant and there is no purpose of having them for such a small country like Sri Lanka. The cost of running the provisional governments is enormous and most of the funds are spent on maintaining the expensive provincial government legislatures. Very little of the allocated funds go to the people, and the works of the provincial governments can be effectively done by the central government (as was under the Saulbury Constitution). Basically having separate governments for such small units like Wayamba, Sabaragamuwa, etc is simply a joke (some provinces do notƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ even have more than 200,000 voters and the land mass for each provincial council is too small). This system has made Sri Lanka poorer. It has caused untold problems in Sri Lanka and the problems continue.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Previously the people had to put up with corruption by the centralised government only. After 1987, corruption spreadƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ like wildfire to the provincial levels. The countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s bureaucracy increased tremendously, today it cannot sustain such an array of legislatures and bureaucrats (most of who are unsuitable for the jobs and cause so much problems to the country). Thanks to the 13th Amendment, Sri Lanka today is one of the most highly governed countries of the world.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Under enormous pressure from India,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in 1987, JR Jayewardene, introduced the provisional government system in Sri Lanka (the 13th Amendment). Majority of the people opposed the Amendment and there were large scale riots in the country in opposition to the move. India was not concerned that Sri Lanka is such a small nationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ compared with India, and that India and Sri Lanka are poles apart. Note, that the population of Tamilnadu alone is more than 3 times that of Sri Lanka.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As stated before, there is a demand mounted by the patriots both within and outside of Sri Lanka to abolish the provincial government system, and it is a just and an intelligent demand.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But, given the adverse international reputation Sri Lanka currently has we believe the total abolishment of the provincial government system can unfortunately bring adverse consequences. If we do not ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”play the card properlyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ the Tamil Diaspora and their Western friends can use the opportunity to ask the international community to interfere and even divide the country through a South Sudan/East Timor type intervention. Because the current demand by the West and India is for Sri Lanka to expand further, especially give land and police powers to the provinces (such acts will lead to the creation of the Tamil Eelam), one has toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ beƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ extremely careful not to give further ammunition to Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s adversaries. They can create further international problems for Sri Lanka (note that the SLMC has already threatened that they will leave the government should the provincial governments were to be abolished ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” there willƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ be many more such threatsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ forthcoming). In this regard, we suggest the following change to the Constitution (not total abolishment of the 13th Amendment):
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Abolish the provincial governments except the Northern and Eastern provincial governments. Let the two provincial governments stay intact but dismantle the other 7 provinces (their work can be covered by the central government ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” just like under the Saulbury Constitution). By doing that the international community including India cannot criticise Sri Lanka being discriminatory towards the minority Tamils. We need not give anymore powers notably the land and police powers for the two remaining provinces (Northern ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and Eastern). This means the sovereignty andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka will be preserved and the international critique of Sri Lanka, especially by India can beƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ minimised.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The act will show that Sri Lanka has considered the Tamils (and also the Muslims) as people of special significance and only they have been given special administrative units (two provincial governments). These action constitute as affirmative actions for the minorities, especially the Tamils.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ By embarking onƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ this pathway, effectively we are ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”killing twoƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ birds with one stoneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The demand to abolish the provincial governments by way of a referendum is not required. If there is 2/3 majority inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ legislature the act canƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ be carried out. I believe such a majority can easily be found. OneƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ must not forget that the mannerƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in which the provincial governments were established (13th Amendment) was unlawful, it was doneƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ by JR Jayawardane by way of Executive power. If a patriot could mount a challenge to that conduct in the Sri Lankan Supreme Court their act would no doubt be successful.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka Support Group, Canberra
srilankasupportgroup@bigpond.com
November 1st, 2012 at 3:27 pm
I agree 98%.
“Abolish the provincial governments except the Northern and Eastern provincial governments.”
This is UNACCEPTABLE.
1. “Northern and Eastern provincial governments” Provincial governments? No way!
2. The problems is NOT with other 7 PCs but with Northern and Eastern PCs. So we should get rid of Northern and Eastern PC first!!
3. If we do this, we clearly DEMARCATE OUT the Northern and Eastern areas as special. One will come under TNA and the other SLMC-UPFA or SLMC-TNA. This makes it worse.
Lets not fall into honey traps along the way to SCRAPPING 13 amendment.
JUST SCRAP, KILL, ERASE, BURN, VANDALIZE 13 amendment. No compromise. We can’t always please the international community. They MUST respect our soverignty.
November 1st, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Very good article and a wise proposal. As usual Lorenzo is barking without considering the full situation – he is not a strategist. People like Lorenzo are very dangerous.
November 1st, 2012 at 8:41 pm
SCRAP, KILL, ERASE, BURN, VANDALIZE – not civilized Zionist approach by LorenZion !
Simply let the legislation framework to correct this RAW imposed nonsence and ask for compensation from India. All provicial councils are useless TamilNadu style PAGA factories.
“Abolish the provincial governments except the Northern and Eastern provincial governments. ” SMELL OF THE TAMIL TIGER TRAIL !
LorenZion made a small mistake, instead of 0 , he typed 9. That is forgivable Kit.
November 1st, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Melbourn patriot OR “Melbourne Devils” ? No wonder tasmanian Devil going extinct due to arrival of another type of worse Devils.
November 1st, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Kithsiri,
No.
Sri Lanka Support Group, Canberra is a TRUELY patriotic group.
(Not nameboard patriots who are actually dwarf tigers (pussies)).
After all it is ONLY a suggestion to which we DISAGREE.
If we do what they suggest, SL will be like India. There will be 3 pieces.
1. NPC – Tamil Madu
2. EPC – Pakis Nadu
3. Chingalam, Thamilam, Muslim multicultural area which will further divide into Malaya Nadu and the rest.
JR used 13 amendment WELL to PIT LTTE against IPKF and Perumal. But its use by date passed when IPKF left.
IPKF left many Tamil illegitimate kids. 13 amendment is just one unlucky kid. SL should not be its foster father or mother.
13 amendment must go. NO compromise.
Please stand by Gota. He didn’t say keep this part and that part. He said SCRAP 13 amendment. I stand by him.
There are only 2 camps.
1. SCRAP 13 amendment camp
2. Keep 13 amendment camp
November 2nd, 2012 at 12:08 am
It is good if the 13th amendment can be entirely abolished but given the enormity of the international opposition to mother Lanka is there a safe environment to do so? Should we jump the gun and create another 1956 situation (Sinhala only) or a 1983 situation (July). It is the Government that promised India to give 13+ (what the + means, no one knows). What does the 3 commentators say to that? It is easy to criticise hardworking patriots who have worked painstakingly over the years. The armchair pundits must realise that by attacking and trying to destroy real patriots they are giving ammunition to the Tamil separatists. Constant negative comments in this forum will go nowhere and they block alternative view points and real discourse. This is another reason why many Sinhalese do not want to come to the forefront – the fear that they will recklessly get attacked – not by Tamil separatists but by armchair pundits like the above three (eg how Ben Silva, the real patriot get attacked in this forum). Melbourne patriot says he has fought for the country he is not a Tamil Tiger but a true blood Sinhala Lion. Like herein, it is sad when patriots get attacked by our own.
November 2nd, 2012 at 12:28 am
I personally know the Sri Lanka Support Group and their President. Their members are scattered around the world and mostly are highly educated professionals. They are real true blue patriots who have fought for mother Lanka for so many years.
November 2nd, 2012 at 3:38 am
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that his call for the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution had extensive backing from many sections of society.
If you are a TRUE SL, stand by Gota to ABOLISH 13 amendment. That’s all he is asking.
NO COMPROMISE.
Abolish means abolish.
November 2nd, 2012 at 4:23 am
Melbourne Patriots cannot be patriots if they say Ben Silva is a “real patriot”.
At a time of support overvhelming arriving from within and outside to scrap the dreaded 13 A , these “pratriots” should keep the mouths shut if they are real patriots. Only those trying to sabotage the momentum gained will say ,
“Abolish the provincial governments except the Northern and Eastern provincial governments. “.
I don’t believe Stanley Perera Ayya approve such foolish statements.
November 2nd, 2012 at 6:27 am
Latest News Item appearing in one of the Australian News paper, sydney Morning Herald says the International communiuty is divided over Sri lankan issues. Western countries like the US then Canada, UK, etc are to one side nad China, Russia, Pakistan and Iranthe like to the other side. The paper refers to the current events in Geneva. This paper is part of the fair fax group if I am not mistaken. Like the Canadian Conrad’s papers Fairfax has always taken a pro Indian stance when it comes to issues relevant to India like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The problems of Sri Lanka is caused by the Indian Empire that was the British-Indian Empire. US is British Empire Mark I and was built by British with Slaves from Africa. The natives of America are a museum peice.
British Empire Mark II was built by the British with Indian Sapoys and Coolies. Since the WWII India became the sole beneficiary of the Empire. Now these Colonial parasites are calling shots in Fiji, Burma, Malasia, Kenya Uganda and so on.
The Sinhala people wiped out the Indian nterrorist outfit in 2009.
Now it is time to kick the Indian non-violent aggression. India imposed the 13th amendment on hapless Sinhalese at that time.
But things have changed now and India is using non-violent aggression to wipe out the Natives of Ceylon the same way it has managed in Andaman and Nicobar islands.
British Empire Mark II was built with British violenec and Indian non-violent aggression. The most celebrated Indian colonial parasite is Mohandas Karamchand who used non-violent aggression and oppression when he was in Kwazulu Natal Privince of South Africa where he made his finacial and political fortunes.
We have to realise what India is doing to non Indians in Ceylon as well as other former colonies of the British Indian Empire, now the Indian Empire.
Beware, it is not just North and the East but includes Malay Nadu according to Indian colonial parasites I know.
November 2nd, 2012 at 8:13 am
““Abolish the provincial governments except the Northern and Eastern provincial governments.”
Let’s get real here ! We want the 13-a abolished MAINLY because the N&E must be kept safely within Sri Lanka.
November 2nd, 2012 at 10:07 am
Fran Diaz
Let’s get real here ! We want the 13-a abolished MAINLY because the N&E must be kept safely within Sri Lanka.- No one want to speck true – All are liers!
Tamil want separate country in Sri Lanka ! may not today or tommorow but deintly one day it may take hundred od thousand od years still Tamil last person in mother lanka will have this dream for these they will face as many as Mulivakkal ( Nadikadal) !!!
As We all are Sri Lankan Our concern should be (not 13A or separation) implement a system which will avoid any separation in future ! that mean whoever like separation should feel united Sri lanka in better than divited Sri Lanka!
No short cut ! unit in diversity !!!
November 2nd, 2012 at 10:45 am
Andy,
Can’t respond any further to you – sorry, friend. Let’s agree to disagree.
You have a mind set about the 13-A which will not shift.
November 2nd, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Lingam fool,
This shows how foolish and cruel you are. You are killing your children , current and future and future to come. Really brainless and unfortunate.
Your race is for fighting to death – God mentality, follow the leader and fight unto death.
In thousand years, I wish, Sinhala people will develop wisdom to donate the island to foolish Tamils and go away with compassion, until Tamil Nadu dogs join with you and achieve your goal, unity in diversity but no university.
November 2nd, 2012 at 9:02 pm
What the SLSG, Canberra article states is that if the 13th amendment can be abolished entirley that will be the best outcome for Sri Lanka, but given the current international hostiltiy towards Sri Lanka it is a very difficult task. A wrong move may lead to Sudan style seccssion. So the best alternative is rather than giving 13+ (land police power or any other single power include a Senate) let’s keep the current system – this means the current North and East provinces can stay as they are – the current system is not a threat to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, as the provinces do not have land and police powers. And the Western powers and India cannot criticise Sri Lanka as by doing this Tamils’ powers have not been taken away (true nothing new has been given to them). It is ok to abolish the other 7 provinces as the concept is a White Elephant. Even when there is a Tamil led Northern provincial government one day, it will be a toothless tiger as they do not have the most important two powers – land and police. This is why Pillayan was crying all the time. But as per the above artilce, the 13 amendment can easily be abolished if a Supreme Court appeal is successfully mounted. then like the north and east demerger the 13 amendment can be abolished and no one can blame the Sri Lankan government as it will be a decision by the Court. I cannot see why the suggestion is attacked as anti Sri Lankan. But, again if someone like Gota takes the leadership and abolishes the 13 amendment entirely that is fantasitc but we have to be very careful of the international response to that.
November 2nd, 2012 at 10:28 pm
I think this is a foolish move.
More tamils and muslims now live in Colombo area than anywhere else and it is becoming their traditional homeland. Why cannot our leaders tell international comunity this simple fact ?.
North is a difficult area (without much resources) and all tamils are trying to get out from it by getting good education, by train or by boat. What can the Sinhalas do to solve the discrimination created by god?. At the rate they are leaving the problem will be solved in another ten or fifteen years time. In the mean time we cannot allow them to rule North as Tamil Nadu (our traditional enemy) will goble it up.
November 2nd, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Have you noticed how Western Media say:
1. The “World Community” represented by US, UK, France and Canada are critical of Sri Lanka
2. Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan support Sri Lanka.
The second set is mentioned because they are the TARGETS of the first set of countries, either to be held responsible as barriers to progress, or demonized as terrorist ridden countries typical of those who support Sri Lanka.
In contrast, the “World Community” is always identified with the self-appointed “human rights and democracy” Champions of first set, representing only a VERY SMALL FRACTION of the people of this Earth, quite the opposite of the “World Community”!
Finally, note that the fact that the VAST MAJORITY of the 99 countries that spoke up in support of Sri Lanka are not mentioned, or listed by name, in any of these Western Media article.
We patriots at LankaWeb.com, should get hold of that voting list and publish it at LankaWeb, and at all other websites where we can submit it, to EXPOSE the HYPOCRISY of these Neo-Colonialist Wolves posturing in Democracy Sheepskins on the world stage.
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:16 am
Comment 9.02pm 2 Nov 12
“I cannot see why the suggestion is attacked as anti Sri Lankan. But, again if someone like Gota takes the leadership and abolishes the 13 amendment entirely that is fantasitc but we have to be very careful of the international response to that.”
What does the comment means by “internationa response to that”
I am sure China, Russia, Pakistan, Bamgladesh and lot of other countries cannot be included in this international as their response will be the opposite.
If international menas countries lead by India and followed by some western countries then the comment is correct.
we should not use these words loosely.
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:52 am
I agree with Alloy.
This group of “patriots” are either out of touch or RanNil followers who want to give some hope to eelam.
As Alloy said why are they afraid of truth ? If there in no meaning to PCs, desolve all and get rid of 13A.
This is our country. It is we , not bloody Indians makeing decisions on our country.
This is an insult to our sons and daughters who sacrifieces their lives, so the thers “old patriots” can visit North and East.
Only fools will support keeping Tamil PC’s only. Even good Tamils will not support it, because it is discrimination.
If PCs is a waste of money in other areas why waste money produced by our Tamil friends in N and E ? Are the gunie pigs ?
If there is nothing to suggest, keep your mouths shut.
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:38 pm
best way to abolish 13 amendment is by way of supreme court intervention
November 3rd, 2012 at 5:17 pm
“Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that his call for the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution had extensive backing from many sections of society.
If you are a TRUE SL, stand by Gota to ABOLISH 13 amendment. That’s all he is asking.
NO COMPROMISE.
Abolish means abolish.”
Good. Now we have everyone supporting the ABOLISHING of 13 amendment. Nothing less.
November 3rd, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Melbourne patriot,
Do not disregard the presence of RAW in the North and East. There is no PC in the North but the East one too will be gone to Tiger supporters if continued this way. There is a huge Indian presence in Jaffna. Why ?
November 3rd, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Lorenzo, you say that there are two camps, but you foegot the in-between camp. In between 1 & 2 who are dis-information specialists, getting big money from RAW. Not that difficult to detect. Who is submitting TAMIL articles to lankaweb. Lorenzo give it a thought.
November 3rd, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Kithsiri,
No inbetweeners. They are supporters of 13 amendment.
I too am concerned about the Tamil article which is about former LTTE combatants doing prostitution and some human rights activists backing them up with other irrelevant war time stories.
The spirit of that article is NOT helpful for unity.
The explosion of a Chinese dynamite lorry heading for mining in 2010 was carried out by RAW agents in Batticaloa.
I think the govt. is fully aware of their whereabouts. RAW animals can’t destabilize SL.
November 4th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
I agree with Lorenzo,
ABOLISH the 13th Amendment in TOTAL…. NO HALFWAY Measures!
Although the DiviNaguma Bill brought out the PROBLEMS posed by the Provincial Council System and DEVOLVING POWER to the Provinces that would REMOVE the POWER & AUTHORITY of the CENTRAL Govt to implement NATIONAL PROGRAMS (we have been POINTING this OUT for YEARS!) , the DviNaguma Bill is now DIVERTING ATTENTION AWAY from SCRAPPING the 13th Amendment. This is BAD!
Recently a GOSL spokesperson said that the GOSL would even hold a National Referendum to get the DiviNaguma Bill approved. But, they are AVOIDING throwing out the 13th Amendment by the same approach!
That tells me that the GOSL is unwilling to ABOLISH the 13th Amendment NOW, perhaps because of International repercussions, and they want to go the route of the DiviNaguma Bill and other similar Bills in the future.
This is a VERY BAD trend. Instead of ABOLISHING the 13th Amendment NOW, and implementing a Senate or some other NATIONAL solution …. even as a 13+++ that does not divide the country into separatism prone Ethno-Religious regions, they are fiddling with CIRCUITOUS APPROACHES while leaving the 13th Amendment in place!
There are ENOUGH LEGAL ARGUMENTS, PUBLIC SUPPORT and PARLIMENTARY MAJORITY to GET RID OF the 13th Amendment in FULL right NOW.
ALL PATRIOTIC FORCES now need to APPLY MORE PRESSURE to get this done NOW!
November 4th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
INDIA, as expected, is PUSHING HARD to PARTITION Sri Lanka and EMPOWER their Fifth Column in Sri Lanka.
The Global Tamil Forum is ECSTATIC.
Just when they think they are WINNING, that is the time to give them ANOTHER Nandikandal by cutting off their LEGS right at the KNEES by ABOLISHING the 13th Amendment NOW!
The MORE they AGITATE to PARTITION Sri Lanka, the MORE they should be MADE TO LOSE. There is NO OTHER WAY with these guys.
The underlying Cause and Effect Relationship will PERCOLATE into their Dull Racist Minds SOMETIME.
Until then let us batten down the hatches, erect the barriers and man the ramparts of Mother Lanka!
………..
India pushes for implementation of 13th Amendment
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Island.lk
November 3, 2012
India has reiterated its call for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and credible investigations into allegations as regards atrocities during the eelam war IV.
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) appreciated India’s position at the 14th session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva on Thursday (Nov 1).
“We are encouraged by the Indian intervention at the UPR which clearly articulated serious issues including militarization, lack of political will to resolve the Tamil National Question and the lack of progress on accountability that Sri Lanka refuses to address post end of war,” GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran spokesperson told The Sunday Island yesterday.
While noting positive development with regard to resettlement of the internally displaced persons, rehabilitation of ex-LTTE personnel, de-mining and reconstruction, India urged GoSL to address remaining issues as regards rehabilitation and resettlement.
India reiterated its commitment to help GoSL to tackle these problems.
Recalling GoSL’s assurance to the previous UPR four year ago to implement the 13th Amendment and subsequent promises given to the international community, India emphasized the responsibility on the part of the GoSL to keep its pledge. India stressed the need to go beyond the 13th Amendment, while underscoring the importance of a speedy political solution to the national issue.
Noting that GoSL has announced PC polls for the Northern Province next year, India insisted that those living in that region should be given an opportunity to exercise their franchise as early as possible.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa early this year declared that Northern PC polls would be held in September 2013.
Commenting on accountability issues, India pushed Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), including investigations into human rights violations and incidents involving loss of civilian lives.