No govt for a quarter century fully implemented 13 Amendment
Thursday, 5th June 2014
By Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige
External Affairs Minister Professor G.L.Peiris yesterday said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa clearly expressed the view of the Sri Lankan government to India that the devolution of Police powers to the Provincial Councils will bring about undesirable repercussions.
The minister made this observation in Parliament in response to a special statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe under Standing Order 23(2).
Minister Peiris said that the President expressed his view to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a cordial and informal discussion held during the President’s visit to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Indian Prime Minister.
The minister also said that the cordial discussion focused on a wide range of matters including the future of SAARC, expanding economic relations between India and Sri Lanka, concerns of fishermen between the two countries etc and there was no detailed and in depth discussion on constitutional matters as the Opposition Leader attempted to highlight.
The Opposition Leader in his statement said the media quoted Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh as saying that India urged Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment. He urged the External Affairs Minister to respond to this matter.
Minister Peiris said that the President explained the government’s position in this regard clearly.
Prof. Peiris said for a quarter of century none of the five governments that were in power have been able to implement the 13th Amendment fully.
He added that one requirement for the proper implementation of this piece of legislation is the agreement among the people. The External Affairs Minister said the President clearly stated that the only mechanism to reach a solution to this issue which is not ethnic is the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that is already been set up.
He added that the TNA should take part in the PSC to reach a fruitful decision as all parties should contribute to the final decision.
The minister said that this is a matter above party politics and all parties should take part in the PSC to find the solution.
From : http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/police-powers-risky-president-modi
