UNITY & SOVEREIGNTY OF SRILANKA
Posted on June 1st, 2013
Kanthar P Balanathan, Melbourne, Australia
General
SriLanka is subjected to (a) negative impactƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of foreign forces impeding the achievementƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of peace, economic and political stability (b) theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ propagandaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ fabricated by the Tamil diaspora which lacksƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ veracity (c) a few unpatriotic politicians in the opposition and otherwise calling for support on secession and/or equal rights, and (d) Tamil Nadu politicians and students uprise against SL.
We, SriLankan are able to view the multidimensional diplomatic and economic forces on SL and the disproportionate level of stress, and how the non-patriotic political parties, and politicians are dancing to the programmed foreign rhythm of music. Few points are discussed here to revoke the 13th amendment, and implement section 157A of the Constitution to strip politicians and people who advocate separatism, from civic rights.
Demography
Demography as defined in the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-business directoryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ is the study of both quantitative and qualitative aspects of human population. Quantitative aspects includeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ composition, density,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ distribution, growth, movement, size, andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ structureƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the population. Qualitative aspects are the sociologicalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ factorsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ such asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ education quality,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ crime,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ development, diet and nutrition, race,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ social class,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ wealth and wellbeing.
Ref: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop42&gp=Activities&tpl=3
Department of Census & Statistics, SriLanka-Year 2012
Total population:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 20,263,723
Sinhalese:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 15,173,820
SriLanka Tamils:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 2,270,924
Indian Tamils:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 842,323
| ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ |
Persons |
Percentage % |
| Total population: |
20,263,723 |
100.00% |
| Sinhalese: |
15,173,820 |
74.88% |
| SriLanka Tamils: |
2,270,924 |
11.21% |
| Indian Tamils: |
842,323 |
4.16% |
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Statistics of SL Tamils in the North ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Statistics of SL Tamils in the East
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Statistics of SL Tamils outside N&E
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Percentage of SL Tamils inhabiting SriLanka on an ethnic concentration.
From the statistics it is evident that 29.66% of the SriLankan Tamils; i.e. 3.32% of the total population dwell outside N&E, and only 43.49% of the SriLankan Tamils i.e. 4.87% of the total population, populate the North.
On a demographic array of the N&E, i.e. qualitative facets of human populace, for almost 30 years, the N&E was infested with crime, terrorism,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ racial conflicts,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and social class division among Tamils, which inflicted the minds of the Tamils with terrorism, separatism, and racial xenophobic outlook.
Equal Rights
Tamils are calling and demanding for ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Equal RightsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ & ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Power SharingƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. Let us dig into the term ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Equal RightsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
Ref: Wikipedia a few examples for analysis as below:
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Equality before the law, also known asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ equality under the law,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ equality in the eyes of the law, orƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ legal equality, is the principle under which all people are subject to the same laws of justiceƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Human rightsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are “commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rightsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Civil and political rightsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are a class of rightsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that protect individualsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ freedomƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ from unwarranted infringement by governmentsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and private organizations, and ensure one’s ability to participate in the civil and political life of the stateƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ without discriminationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ or repression.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Women’s rightsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are the rightsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and entitlementsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ claimed for women and girls of many societies worldwide.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Social equalityƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is a state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in certain respectsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Can any politician specifically pin point on the area of equal rights where SL has gone wrong? Does SL have different Law for the Sinhalese, Tamils & Muslims? Tamils can move, purchase land, work settle anywhere in SL. They can participate in the political activities, contest elections and even become the Prime Minister within the Law and the framework of the constitution. DidnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t Sivajilingham contest in the Presidential elections? Was he not the Leader of the, one-time, terrorist, Tamil Elam Liberation Organisation?
In fact the above census analysis shows that 29.66% of the SriLankan Tamils reside outside the N&E. Are they subjected to any form of equal & human rights violation? In fact those people should be millionaires.
However, it is those ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-TamilsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ who do not provide equal rights to their brothers and sisters on the basis of caste, creed and region where they come from. Tamils have their own ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Thesavalamai Law, and Mukkuvars Law. They do not allow practice of Budhdhism in the N&E and settlement of Sinhalese who are citizens of SL.
The ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Rule of LawƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ will not allow GOSL, for politicians, people and journalists to practice those, which pose ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-National SecurityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ to SL. If allowed, then it is a serious violation of the Constitution.
Tamils are living in Italy, Norway, Denmark, France, some small European countries & South Americas and can speak the local language. If they can do that what prevents them to be in SL, learn Sinhala, and lead a good life?
It is also of a general thinking that Human Rights Violation prevails in a Communist/Socialist environment, but not in a market driven economy.
Provincial Council
What added value has the PCƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s delivered to the people and the country over the last few years?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
We were able to hear and read PCƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s complain only.
- PCs have been only complaining on lack of funds.
- Proliferation of bribery & corruption?
- The PCs want more power, but does not want to improve their provinces.
- Personal enrichment of status and wealth.
What our PC politicians want is political power for their own self-esteem and personalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ economic well-being, while millions of people struggle to push through their day to day living.
On an intellectual level of rational assessment and judgment, is it justifiable to devolve power to only 4.87% of the population at the expense of the 95.13%, where most foreign exchange earning yields from the South?
Well, it shows a criminal activity when India walked into SriLanka and ordered JRJ; ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Hey, this is 13th amendment, pass it on and implementƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. It is of view that Indians never think on a comprehensive profoundness, perspicacity and complexity. Here, it is considered a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-criminal activity, because a nation has ordered to note heavy liability to another nation without proper analysis and judgment.
Devolution of Power
Devolution of power and the need to decentralise power to Provinces or states is not to be construed as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-LUXURYƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. A country with inflow of large foreign capital or revenue may require power to be devolved to regions for effective and efficient financial management. In addition, a large population may require devolution of power on a Human Geographical and Demographical perspective as a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Political CommunityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
An example: SriLanka foreign exchange earnings are accrued is from Tea, Rubber and gems, all of which are resources in the South. The North was a liability to the South and the South is considered an asset. South subsidised the N&E for its survival over the years and is continuing to do so.
Qualitative aspects are the sociologicalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ factorsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ such asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ education quality,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ crime,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ development, diet and nutrition, race,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ social class,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ wealth and wellbeing. Being a Tamil, I can confidently state that most Tamils lack in, Listening skills, conflict resolution and never contended with what they have, but to accrue more and more wealth.
We have a distressing and demoralizing caste system, whereby Tamil Elite thoughts are: A barberƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s son should do barber job. Tamil Diaspora, who is in business, names their shops: ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Tamil Spice ShopsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, Thamizhar MandapamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, etc. In time to come they may construct toilets and name them; ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Thamizhar KatkusuƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, meaning ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-TamilƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ToiletƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. This is an indication of their racist superiority and mind set, particularly in overseas countries.
The negating viewpoints of Provincial Council are as follows:
- The population concentration of 4.87% (987,692 people) against 95.13% in a country does not demand a separate political structure and governance. This will only blow up expenditure driving the country towards paucity.
- The natural resources in the North are quite negligible compared to the rest of the country. Economic sustainability in the North can be construed as quite weak. Resource such as water is quite low and can affect agrarian development.
- Qualitative aspects such as the sociologicalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ factors;ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ race,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ social class,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ wealth and wellbeing, magnanimity, openness and readiness to develop the region is deficient in the minds of the Tamils in the North. Tamils want easy job, such as trading (spice shop, Dosai kades), temple management for monetary accrual, and most of students want white collar jobs. Their commitment to entrepreneurship is absent. Tamils have, over the past 65 years, proved that they are unpatriotic to SriLanka.
- The recurrent expenditure for the provincial councils was dramatic; increasing from 28,856 million in 2000 to 111.336 billion in 2009. This expenditure over the 9 years has not proved innovation, creative development, enhancement in the intellectual abilities of locals and patriotism, however, only sucked the coffer of the SL treasury. Cost analysis would reveal that the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-opportunity costƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ would have developed the provinces. We, SriLankan are able to see the current command of governance has proven significant level of development in all spheres.
- The Tax Department should be able to give details of tax collected from the North. Would the volume of tax collected from the (half of 4.87%-males) North adequate to run the PC? Are all Tamils paying tax in the North? Comparison with the rest of the province should give clear indication of non-payment of tax. Are the Local Government(s) collecting land tax?
- 3.32% of the SL Tamils reside outside N&E. University graduates, Para-professionals and others may have an eager to drift out of the N&E to Colombo or the South in time to come. This may have an effect on the supply and demand. The comfort of these drifters (Tamils) from the N&E will be at the expense of the local natives who have lived there for donkey years. The question is; will the hoboes add value to the economy of the province? Eventually the imbalance in the supply and demand may weaken the inflation and impact GDP. GOSL should study the drift pattern of the Tamils from the N&E over the last 30 years.
- Could Sampanthar & Co explain to the parliament and the cabinet ministers their strategic vision to create jobs for the graduates, if such a Provincial Council is elected? How do they propose to create jobs for the students coming out of the, trade schools, Technical Colleges and Polytechnics? Do they depend on the center for subsidies? In a democratic environment, political partyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s financial strategy should be transparent. Could Sampanthar & Co vouch GOSL that they can bond graduates and trades peoples for ten yearsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ or more service within the N&E province?
- If the system will not change, but continue to have an inflow to the South, then what is the added value of having PCs?
- Mr Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam is crying and moaning for Tamil Elam. Will GGP sell and relocate his multi-million Rs. Serendib Land plc business to the N&E to improve the Provincial outlook? (Ref: http://www.cse.lk/cmt/upload_report_file/630_1346326156.pdf). If GGP disagrees then GGP should give clear reasons for not being able to do so?
- India nudged the 13th amendment onto SL to satisfy the Tamil Nadu people. India has war fronts in the North, East and West (not eliminated). India has lived on with that fear of Tamil Nadu people rise against separation. This fear forces them to dance to the tunes of the Tamilians in TN. Further LTTE was domiciled in TN and was becoming popular among the TN separatists. A strategic move by Delhi drove LTTE out of TN and forced JRJ to accept the 13th amendment. This was a blunder late JRJ made. Well, late JRJ sold SL to the Indians.
- 11.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ India does not understand the socio-politico-economic situation of SL. They have always been dominant on SL affairs right from Nehru to RG and now Sonia Ghandi. India is the worst country that practices Human Rights Violation.
- Excerpts from an article written by Neville Ladduwahetty, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-LLRC Recommendations Not Met by 13AƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
- ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The Government of Sri Lanka proceeding further into consolidating the Provincial Council system under the 13th Amendment amounts to ignoring key recommendations of the LLRC; a prospect that is bound to bring serious condemnations in future sessions at Geneva possibly followed by measures to punish Sri Lanka for ignoring international dictates. Therefore, the Government of Sri Lanka is duty bound to bring to the attention of the International Community, the US and India that accommodating the key recommendations of the LLRC would entail revisions to existing provisions of the 13th Amendment since no provisions currently exist in it to accommodate the key recommendations in the LLRC Report : discouraging secessionist tendencies, devolution to grass roots levels, and power sharing at the CenterƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
- Provincial Council to the N&E is like feeding lamb(s) to the Hyenas. The threat of separatism cannot be extinguished from the minds of the Jaffna Tamils. It will be a gradual, infinite move by the Tamils, and with the help of the TN, separatism may explode in time to come.
Violation of the SriLanka Constitution
Reference: SL constitution, section 157A:
Article 157A of the 6th Amendment to the Constitution under the Heading ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Prohibition against violation of territorial integrity of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ clearly states the following:
157A. (1) No person shall, directly or indirectly, in or outside Sri Lanka, support, espouse, promote, finance, encourage or advocate the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka.
(2) No political party or other association or organisation shall have as one of its aims or objects the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka.
(3) Any person who acts in contravention of the provisions of paragraph (1) shall, on conviction by the Court of Appeal, after trial on indictment and according to such procedure as may be prescribed by law,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚
The punishment for a Member of Parliament / Political Party or other association or Organization is also clearly given.
(d) if he is a Member of Parliament or a person in such service or holding such office as is referred to in paragraph (1) of Article 165, cease to be such Member or to be in such service or to hold such office
(4) Where any political party or other association or organisation has as one of its aims or objects the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka, any person may make an application to the Supreme Court for a declaration that such political party or other association or organisation has as one of its aims or objects the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka. The Secretary or other officer of such political party or other association or organisation shall be made a respondent to such application.
The preservation of this section of the constitution does make SL citizens understand that all politicians, no matter what race, religion they belong to, shall not violate the constitution.
SriLanka constitution is an instrument to govern SriLanka. No foreign country should interfere with the Rule of Law in SL.
In spite this section 157A still in the Constitution, Tamil politicians are all out crying, and moaning for separation. Tamil politicians run to Geneva, Canada and UK and cry for separation. Does this mean that our Constitution is weak and not to be taken with seriousness. Does it mean that the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Rule of LawƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ is absent in SL. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has a recorded version of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Separate Tamil ElamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, and wherever he goes plays this record.
Legal action should be taken against whoever preaches separatism as per section 157A of the constitution.
Conclusion
Previous governments have been playing on the intelligence of the SriLankan masses to be in power. Such action has driven the country to the current situation.
The best solution is: (a) All Tamil political parties should rid their minds from naming their political parties ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Tamil Elam ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, (b) Remove separation, and Elam from their minds, (c) think and accept they are SriLankan, (d) accept their governance is in Kotte and NOT Jaffna or Chennai, (e) understand the negative effects of having PCs, (f) for conflict resolution, run to Kotte and not Chennai or Delhi, (g) Share power with the Kotte government and develop the whole country, (h) eliminate xenophobic attitude, (i) develop an eager to study Sinhala language, (j) accept the President of SriLanka as their leader, (k) learn to co-exist, and (l) become integral and NOT differential.
An appeal to all politicians (opposition and back-benchers):
It is construed that PCs are a burden to the economy and will drain the economy and make SL to depend on foreign aids. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ PLEASE SUPPORT REVOKING THE 13TH AMENDMENT IN PARLIAMENT.
WE LOVE SRILANKA,
JAYA WEVA
June 1st, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Good analysis.
13 amendment MUST GO.
June 1st, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Very well written article. Are you a Tamil living in Melbourne? If so please call me mobile: 0401023328.
June 1st, 2013 at 5:37 pm
The author, a Tamil intellectual, can show stupid/racist Tamil politicians in Sri Lanka that with common sense and human decency and self-respect, any ethnic problem in Sri Lanka could be easily resolved through co-operation and dialogue. The West must also be made to understand this and behave in an ethical, unbiased manner toward Sri Lanka.
June 1st, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Time has come to stop all this nonsense of being Tamil and Sinhalese. We are all Sri Lankans and Sri Lanka belongs to all its children. Every Sri Lankan citizen has to be treated equally, should be allowed to move around freely without any restrictions and when they do so they should be encouraged to procure these assets at market prices. If the Tamil speaking Sri Lankans can live other parts of Sri Lanka, then why Sinhalese don’t have the same right. Please do not create mono ethnic enclaves. There are no ethnic homelands in Sri Lanka… only Sri Lankans and Sri Lanka. When racists use “Tamil Areas” it implies that there are some areas exclusive for Tamils. “Tamil Exclusiveness” concept is one of the main causes for ethnic tension in our motherland. Mono ethnic enclaves in North & East should not be encouraged. Everyone should have a common Sri Lankan identity. Sri lanka is for every son and daughter of the soil, whether speaking in English, Tamil or Sinhala. Equality, liberty and freedom to exercise one’s religion, language and culture is all that matters. Sri Lanka is a free country; Anybody from Dondra Point should be able to live in Point Pedro and vice versa as well. Co-inhabitant is the best solution to national integrity and makes different ethnic groups to understand each other.
Do people call Mahanuwara, Nuwaraeliya or Mahawa Sinhala Towns? Why this ethnically designated towns only in the North? Who ‘colonized’ Wellawatte and Milagiriya? Given that millions of Tamil speaking Sri Lankans are living in the South and South is too cramped with people so we must say it is okay to allow new settlements (no matter what race are they) in the North and East. While population of the rest of the country increased rapidly, with some once small towns like ගාල්ල and මාතර becoming mega cities with population bursting at the seams, the population in the North has dropped by more than half. Tamils know that Sinhalese are great neighbours and even better than German, French, Italian, British, Canadian, Norwegian & Danish. Tamils are living in harmony with Sinhalese in the South.
In Singapore “EIP” – Ethnic Integration Policy – is enforced to balance ethnic composition. Any Sri lankan should be able to live where ever they want, as long as the law of the country is respected and followed.
June 1st, 2013 at 7:57 pm
KANTHAR AND NALLIAH !!
You remind me of the beautiful Tamil class-mates I had at St. Josephs College Colombo, vi-a-vis ~~ Rajaghandhi, Ramanathan, Rajathurai, Balaraman, Pakianathan, Thambimuttu, etc. We loved them and they loved us like family members. We loved to interact very closely with each other. Have fun. Gone are the days.
June 1st, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Thank you, Mr. Balanathan………from Austrailia.
We have been telling our successive govts, act according to other countries in the world, NOT according India’s bureacacy & inefficient governing systems and demands.
JRJ was so scared, that his life is in danger & history books will say that he sold Sri Lanka to Indians. So under duress he was forced to sign the document, while ships & an Indian frgate in Sri Lankan waters. When JRJ annoyed most people in Lanka both South, Central & other provinces, he cannot expect any help from Sri lankans.
The writer’s, suggestion that LAW against, practicing, preaching or even mentioning SEPERATION, DEVOLUTION or having a seperate entity is & should be brought forward so that MONKEYS can undertand. After that, if they disobey punishment must be severe for such actions.
The so called TNA is living on borrowed time. Once those law in the books are passed by our parliament, INDIA or USA cannot interfere in such actions.
As the writer quite eloquontly pointed out, these laws are praticed, and similar laws are still in law books of India. They want to please TN the Tolilet Nadu, not becuase India’s love for Sri Lankan tamils, BUT their fear that Tamil Nadu will seperate, and other states of the Indian Union will follow.
I really appreaciate that this gentlemen, has wriiten this valuable article, which should be sent Tamil Diaspora, LTTE sympathisers to read & digest. Because before long this unpopular 13 th amenement will be history.
As our Defense secretary quite rightly said, Sri lanka, MUST actt according what our citizens want NOT what India wants or any other country wants.
Indian external affairs minister, STILL don’t get it. Calling his counterpart in lanka, he is asking our leaders to do the impossible things. India is burden to Asia. All other Asian countries voted with us, bu NOT India.
So it is time Sri Laka do the same thing to India. Let her feel how distatsteful that is……..Thank you for your valuable insight & very provocative analysis. I wish our leaders read this and act accordingly………May the Noble triple gems guard you & GOD BLESS……………another expat expressing his views……J
June 2nd, 2013 at 1:14 am
Now even the UNP will be LESS stupid to support separatists after the death of Jayalath J.
June 2nd, 2013 at 5:12 am
Many Thanks Kanthar & Nalliah, I can’t agree with you two anymore. Please send Sinhala & Tamil copies to general public of SL. Keep up the good work.
June 2nd, 2013 at 6:44 am
The govt should bring down kanthar and nalliah to address govt party members. There are sinhala eelamists in the govt like dilan rajitha and G.L. KANTHAR AND NALLIAH can join with ARUN AND KARUNA to educate tamils as well as sinhala eelamists . chase out DAYAN J , JAYADEVAUYANGODA , AND VICTOR IVON etc
now U.N.P is trying to cheat sinhalese saying that they accept ‘unitary lanka”. THERE UNITARY IS DIFFERENT AND IT IS A “””” ” kole wasa gaseemak “”
SINHALA ORGANISATIONS SHOULD ARRANGE TELIVISION DEBATES AND INVITE KANTHAR AND NALLIAH TO ARGUE WITH SINHALA EELAMISTS LIKE DILAN VASU , WIKRAMABAHU AND OTHERS IF MAHINDA DO “””hora gal ehileema””””
NO FURTHER CHEATING SHOULD BE ALLOWED
IF KANTHAR NALLIAH AND LORENZO ARE GIVEN A CHANCE WE WILL HAVE HOPES TO LIVEIN HARMONY WITH TAMILS
“””
June 2nd, 2013 at 8:13 am
Thank you very much Mr. Balanathan for this wonderful analysis.
As Senevirath as suggested above, it would be nice for our politicians to hear these facts from a Tamil intellectual like Mr. Balanathan. This is particularly true for the Tamil politicians, who have no idea about the real facts.
In addition to the above, I think the Sinhala politicians must learn Tamil so that they can address the Tamil voters and explain facts in Tamil. Right now, the Tamil politicians mislead the Tamil voters left, right and centre as it has become their monopoly, with the Sinhala politicians not being able to understand or speak Tamil.
All Srilankans must think and feel like Srilankans, if we are to proper as a nation. Those separatists must be taken to task and all forms of separatism as pointed out by Mr. Balanathan (with names like tamil-eelam etc) should be banned. Any traitor, Tamil, Sinhalese or Muslim, who connives with a foreign country/government should be put behind bars under the existing legislation. It appears that the SL Constitution has just become a joke as the clauses are not implemented as stated in the constitution.
13A, which was imposed upon us by force by India, should have gone a long time ago. Get this cancer out of the SL political system ASAP.
Long live a united Sri Lanka where all feel and enjoy the freedom as brothers and sisters of the same mother Lanka and work hard towards the country’s progress by eliminating the forces of separatism and foreign connivance.
June 3rd, 2013 at 4:21 pm
What TREACHERY is this?
GOSL to ONLY “amend several powers” including requiring NOT ALL but ONLY A MAJORITY of Provincial Councils to approve national bills! Removal of Land and Police powers is not NOT INCLUDED in these amendments!
The GOSL would be well advised to REPEAL the 13th Amendment and DISSOLVE Provincial Councils altogether, lest the Patritic People of Sri Lanka kick this government also out from Office.
GOSL, Ask not For Whom the Bell Tolls, It Tools for Thee!
Rise Up! …. O Patriotic Sons and Daughters of Sri Lanka …. REPEAL this Poison Pill 13th Amendment and DEMOLISH the Provincial Councils, lest our sovereign Motherland is reduced to “appealing” to separatist Provincial Councils for its very existence, as is mentioned in the article below!
These Craven Cowards should put this issue to the PEOPLE in a NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM. If they can’t decide, let the PEOPLE decide for them!
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Sri Lanka government to submit a proposal to amend powers of Provincial Councils
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 03, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government plan to submit a proposal to the cabinet this week regarding the amendment of several powers of the Provincial Councils, government sources say.
The amendment will withdraw the provisions that enable the Provincial Councils to merge.
It will also withdraw the provisions that the nationally important bills needed to be passed in all Provincial Councils. Instead, the amendments will be brought so that such a bill will be sufficient to be passed in majority of Provincial Councils.
However, the proposals of certain government coalition parties to take back the land and police powers of the Provincial Councils have not been included in the government’s proposals, government sources said.
Sources further said that the government has planned to appeal for a definition of the land powers from the Provincial Councils.
Tamil alliance of Sri Lanka accuses government of attempting to reduce Tamil votes
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 02, Colombo: The major Tamil party of Sri Lanka Tamil National Alliance (TNA) accuses the government of attempting to reduce the number of Tamil votes in the Province before the elections to Northern provincial Council scheduled for September this year.
TNA parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah has said that the government is establishing new villages in the province and settling Sinhala and Muslim people while eliminating the voting rights of 180,000 Tamil people who are still not being resettled and living in other areas with relatives or in camps.
At a central committee meeting of the TNA’s main party Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) held in Kilinochchi recently the MP told BBC that about 100,000 displaced Tamils are living with the relatives and another 80,000 are living in India and those Tamils will not have the opportunity to vote at the elections.
Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister recently received approval from the cabinet to bring in draft legislation to amend the Election law to allow displaced people from the Northern Province now temporarily residing in other parts of Sri Lanka to get them registered as voters on submission of satisfactory proof.
The central committee has decided to discuss this issue with the governments of Sri Lanka and India and the Election Commissioner before the elections, the MP further told BBC.
The party has postponed taking a decision on nominating a candidate for the chief minister post and how to make the nomination until the elections are announced for the Province.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress to protest any attempt to weaken power devolution
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 03, Colombo: The Muslim ally of the Sri Lankan government, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has registered strong protest against any attempts to abolish the 13th Amendment to the Constitution which was brought to devolve power.
SLMC Supreme Council met yesterday to discuss the issue. SLMC national organizer Rafeek Rajabdeen said that the party would not extend any support to the government to weaken the power devolution.
He said that the SLMC would again discuss if the government would bring an 18th amendment to the constitution.
He also highlighted that the SLMC was a powerful party in the Eastern Province and a coalition party in the central government and the Eastern Provincial Council.
Jathika Hela Urumaya, a government coalition party has brought a proposal in the parliament to amend the Constitution so that the powers devolve under 13th Amendment to the Constitution be taken back to the center.
June 3rd, 2013 at 4:52 pm
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE of how sub-national local governments in Sri Lanka, in the CONTROL of SEPARATIST Groups, can UNDERMINE the AUTHORITY OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT by entering into agreements with Foreign Governments and Entities inimical to Sri Lanka.
In this way, the Role of the National Government, having the RESPONSIBILITY to DEFEND and PROTECT the Nation accorded to it by the citizens of the country, is slowly ERODED away, inch by inch.
This kind of Anti-National Activity would greatly increase if Provincial Councils are handed over to SEPARATIST GROUPS in the Future. Little by little, they will establish irreversible direct relationships with Foreign Powers to cement and ease their way towards their DECLARED GOAL of an Eelam OUTSIDE the current Unitary State of Sri Lanka.
OPEN YOUR EYES and Rise Up!…. O Patriots of Mother Lanka…. to DEFEND the Nation from ENCROACHING SEPARATISM!
REPEAL the 13th Amendment and DEMOLISH the Provincial Council System at its ROOT.
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Trincomalee Urban Council in Sri Lanka suspends MoU with US Embassy – report
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 02, Colombo: The Trincomalee Urban Council in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province has decided to suspend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it signed recently with the US Embassy in Colombo to establish a public information and activity center known as a American Corner in Trincomalee, a local newspaper reported.
The Sri Lankan Government expressed concern over the signing of the MoU between the US Embassy and the Trincomalee Urban Council on May 22 to jointly establish the American Corner without the knowledge of the External Affairs Ministry.
A local government entering into an agreement with a foreign mission without the approval of the External Affairs Ministry is a clear breach of protocol, according to the Ministry.
According to a report in the local English weekly Sunday Leader, the Secretary of the Urban Council Abdul Latif Mohammad Nafeel has said that the External Affairs Ministry had informed the Council that the deal was unacceptable and the Council needs to obtain clearance to continue with the MOU.
The US Embassy has said that it had signed similar agreements when it opened American corners in Kandy and Jaffna.
However, the Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry Karunatilaka Amunugama said that a special investigation has been launched into the MOU and the investigation will also cover the American corners opened in Kandy and Jaffna.
“The Ministry will seek information from the local Council about the deals they had signed with the US Embassy. We have not sought information from the US Embassy as yet,” Amunugama was quoted as saying.
The Secretary has said that an official from the Ministry has been appointed to investigate the MOU signed with the local councils and a report will be submitted on the findings.
US embassy spokesman and Director of Press Cultural and Educational Affairs Christopher Teal has said that the purpose of setting up of the information center is to provide vital information to the people particularly, the student population in the East.
June 3rd, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Rise UP! …. O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. NEVER let the TNA raise its Ugly Head to purrsue its Eelam in Sri Lanka.
REPEAL the 13th Amendment and UPROOT the Provincial Council SYSTEM COMPLETELY.
If the Craven Cowards in the GOSL WILL NOT ACT, then let the Patriotic People of Sri Lanka VOTE IN A NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM to Protect the Nation!
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‘TNA victory will lead to separatism’
By P K Balachandran – COLOMBO
June 2, 2013
Sri Lanka’s powerful defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has warned that a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) victory in the proposed elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) under the 13th Amendment of the Constitution, will rekindle the movement for an independent Tamil Eelam.
The Island daily of Friday quoted Gotabaya as saying: ‘If a political party with a separatist agenda like the TNA were to take control of the provincial administration vested with powers over land and the police as envisaged by the 13th Amendment, the security of the country would be gravely threatened.’ He feared that the country might get back to war.
Gotabaya, said, if the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had accepted the Indo-Lanka Accord under which the 13th Amendment was enacted, Eelam could have been created long ago.
As an official, he could only warn Lanka’s political establishment of the security threat inherent in holding elections to the NPC with land and police powers devolved to the province, Gotabaya said.
On Thursday, the President’s other sibling, economic development minister Basil Rajapaksa, told Express that no “serious discussions” had taken place in the Cabinet on pruning the 13th Amendment. Cabinet spokesman, Anura Priydarshana Yapa, said any decision on constitutional changes could be made only on the recommendation of the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee.
June 4th, 2013 at 11:42 am
Is this EMERGENCY BILL, intended to give the ETHNICALLY CLEANSED Sinhala & Muslims citizens the right to VOTE in the NORTH & EAST?
Nevertheless, this does not solve the problem of EELAMIST DOMINATED Provincial Councils emerging in the North & East.
Rise Up! …..O Patriotic Sons & Daughters of Sri Lanka …. REPEAL the 13th Amendment and DISSOLVE the Provincial Council System NOW!
Don’t let the PC Elections to be held in September, 2013 to EMBED an India IMPOSED Foreigner’s Law designed to DIVIDE Sri Lanka into a Patchwork Quilt of Separatist Apartheid Bantustans!
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Urgent bill in Sri Lanka parliament tomorrow on Northern Provincial Council election
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 04, Colombo: Chief Government Whip of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena announced today that an urgent bill will be tabled in parliament for approval tomorrow regarding the the Northern Provincial Council election.
He said the opposition has also been made aware of the bill and the time is allocated for the bill.
The Minister said the bill is related to the registration of voters and the time will be allocated for the debate.
The bill is to amend the election law to allow displaced people from the Northern Province now temporarily residing in other parts of Sri Lanka to register as voters on submission of satisfactory proof.
The Press Council (Amendment) Act is also to be debated in the parliament tomorrow. The registration fees of the newspapers are to be increased under this act.
June 5th, 2013 at 11:51 am
What is this INDIAN delegation doing in Sri Lanka interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal matters?
First India seeds and fertilizes Tamil terrorism in Sri Lanka, then invades to partition Sri Lanka in favor of its porteges, then fights its Tamil surrogates when they threaten India’s own integrity, then they declare victory and flee back to India with their tail between their legs leaving us with a greatly enhanced separatist problem, and now HERE THEY ARE AGAIN … turning up like the Proverbial Bad Pennies on our doorstep … collaborating with the Separatists to Divide Sri Lanka AGAIN attempting to solve India’s problems on our heads.
The GOSL MUST STOP this SLOW UNDERMINING of Sri Lanka’s SOVEREIGNTY, NOW!
To get the POINT ACROSS, Sri Lanka should send delegations to India on FACT FINDING MISSIONS TO INDIA to talk to all INDIAN SEPARATIST GROUPS (Kashmiri and Assamese terrorists come to mind).
Why stop there, talk to the Naxalites and Dalit groups protesting caste discrimination, as well!
ISSUE INTERNATIONAL REPORTS recommending DEVOLUTION OF MORE POWER to EACH of these groups, in the interest of “human rights” and “greater democracy”, of course.
Let us see how the INDIANS will like their own bitter medicine!
NOTHING will CONVINCE these BUGGERS to CEASE & DESISTS until WE DO UNTO THEM AS THEY DO UNTO US! Nothing!
Get these BUSYBODIES OUT of Sri Lanka, PERMANENTLY!
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India’s opposition party delegation arrives in Sri Lanka to discuss 13th Amendment
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 05, Colombo: A six-member Indian delegation led by the deputy leader of Indian opposition Bharatha Janatha Party (BJP) in the Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday for a five-day visit.
During the visit organized by the New Delhi-based India Foundation and Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies in Colombo, the delegation will hold discussions with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on power devolution.
The delegates intend to discuss the issue of granting police and land powers to the provinces under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and Northern Provincial Council election with the President and Defense Secretary.
The Indian delegates will also meet senior leaders of other political parties in Sri Lanka.
In addition to the leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, Indian delegation will include Shiv Sena leader Suresh Prabhu, senior Indian journalist Swapan Dasgupta, retired IFS officer Vivek Katju, RSS representative Ram Madhav and human right activist Monika Arora.
The delegation today left for Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka to hold discussions with the leaders of Tamil parties including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). They will also meet the Governor of the Northern Province to discuss the Northern Provincial Council elections planned o be held in September.
The delegation includes Suresh Prabhu (Shiv Sena), Ram Madhav (RSS), journalist and political commentator Swapan Dasgupta, former IFS officer Vivek Katju and human rights activist Monika Arora.
According to The Hindu the delegation’s visit, although not government sponsored, is being watched keenly by the Indian government since the opposition-led team will be meeting all the top leaders of Sri Lanka.
This is the first discussion BJP will have with the Sri Lankan government prior to India’s general election in 2014.
June 6th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
The 13th AMENDMENT contains Many POISON PILLS that THREATEN the INTEGRITY of Sri Lanka and the SAFETY of its PEOPLE.
Among them:
1. Devolution of Land and Police Powers that will enable SEPARATIST Tamils to EXCLUDE other communities from the North and East, to BUILD UP their SEPARATIST forces ONCE AGAIN beyond the view and control of the National Government, and to import an unending STREAM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS from Tamil Nadu.
2. The de-facto VETO power of Provincial Councils over NATIONAL BILLS which requires UNANIMOUS CONSENT of ALL PCs for passage of National Bills. Under this law, the GOSL would be UNABLE to act against SEPARATIST Provincial Councils in any way.
3. The Provision for the MERGER of the Northern and Eastern Provincial Councils, that would resurrect the long held dream of Eelamists to impose their majority in the Northern Province on the Eastern Province, and capture it as well. What the SunGod sought to Win by MURDEROUS WAR would be gifted to the TNA in ABJECT PEACE!
It would be an ABSOLUTE FOLLY to hand over the North and East to UNREPENTANT SEPARATISTS ENABLING them to SECEDE and join Tamil Nadu!
The LIVES of UNTOLD GENERATIONS OF Sri Lankan Citizens would be placed at RISK by opening this DOOR TO HELL!
Ask Not For Whom the Bell Tolls; it Tolls for Thee!
Rise Up! …. O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. REPEAL the 13th Amendment, DEMOLISH the Provincial Council System, and HALT the upcoming Provincial Council Elections, DEMAND a NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM to END the 13th Amendment!
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Sri Lanka cabinet approval sought for amendments on power devolution
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 06, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government will submit a proposal to the cabinet of ministers today seeking approval to re-amend the 13th Amendment to the Constitution , government sources said.
The proposed amendment reportedly aims to remove the provisions provided for a merger of the adjoining provincial councils which allows bills and acts to get passed by all provincial councils before they are passed in parliament.
The draft bill in this regard has been approved by the party leaders of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) that met on June 04 evening under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka government sources say that more amendments to the Provincial Council system are to come in the future.
Meanwhile Minister Wimal Weerawansa said that the President promised to seek a definition from the Supreme Court regarding the police and land powers of the provincial councils.
Minister’s party, National Freedom Front is campaigning against giving police and land powers of the Provincial Councils.
June 6th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
SEPARATISTS and TRAITORS joining together in FAVOR of the 13th Amendment.
Rise Up … . O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. REPEAL the 13th Amendment COMPLETELY, DEMOLISH the Provincial Council System, HALT the Provincial Council Elections, and DEMAND a NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM to REPEAL the 13th Amendment!
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Sri Lanka Tamil party opposes amending the 13th Amendment to the Constitution
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 06, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s major Tamil political party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has opposed the government’s move to amend the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
The government’s move is seen as a measure to limit the powers accorded to provinces under the 13th Amendment before the government holds elections to the Northern Province Council planned for September.
TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said the 13th Amendment which was aimed at solving the national issue and the government must consult the TNA as a representative of the Tamil people prior to any move to amend the 13th Amendment since it would affect the people of the North and East.
However, Premachandran noted that the government has not yet made any official comment on its stance on the 13th Amendment.
According to Premachandran, the TNA would have to decide whether to contest the Northern Provincial Council polls in the event the government decides to dilute or amend the 13th Amendment as it stands.
The 13th Amendment introduced under influence from India in 1987 paved way for power devolution to the Provinces despite displeasure of the majority Sinhala community.
There is a growing momentum within the ruling party and the country to abolish the 13th Amendment. The opponents of the 13th Amendment believe holding the elections in the Northern Province without amending it will be a serious threat to the national security and territorial integrity.
Members of the ruling party have met on Tuesday to discuss the changes to the 13th Amendment and the party leaders have agreed to amend it, a senior party leader has told the AFP.
The government has proposed removing the provisions provided for a merger of the adjoining provincial councils which allows bills and acts to get passed by all provincial councils before they are passed in parliament.
Further, the attention is focused on the provision of granting land and police powers to the provinces under the 13th amendment.
Sri Lanka’s Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa recently said that he would never agree to granting police powers to provincial councils as it would be a serious challenge and a danger to the security services.
He said if the provincial councils were vested with police powers, a serious situation would arise with regard to the maintenance of law and order, and the security services would become ineffective.
However, some coalition partners of the government are not in favor of the move to revise the 13th Amendment and curtailing police and land powers.
Ally of the governing party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said the party would not support the changes to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
The party said 13th Amendment should not be revised in any way and there should not be any change in the land and police powers vested with the provinces under the 13th Amendment.
The government is however, to submit a proposal to the cabinet of ministers today seeking approval to re-amend the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
June 6th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Even the amendments to the 13 amendment has been postponed by 1 week after LTTE Hack-him demands 1 week to study the proposals.
This dirt is trying to delay the process because he knows the ENDIANS are in SL to put pressure on govt. to keep 13 amendment.