Tamil political alliance objects to President’s call for input on 13A

Wednesday, 9 August 2023 02:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Notes 13A has already been incorporated into the constitution
Says unnecessary to invite views to implement what is already part of the constitution
Asks 13A to be implemented in its original form with land, police, finance and administrative powers

A coalition of Tamil political parties in a letter addressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe have expressed their dissent against his appeal for parties to submit their views and proposals on the implementation of the 13th amendment.

The alliance consisting of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), Democratic People’s Liberation Front (DPLF), Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), Tamil National Party (TNP) and the Democratic Crusaders Party (DCP) noted that the 13A has already been incorporated into the constitution in 1988 with a majority in the Parliament.

“Since then Provincial Councils have been established in the entire country, elections held and functioned until dissolved for holding elections,” they said.

“Therefore it is not necessary to invite for views to implement what is already available and part of the constitution,” the group added. The alliance noted that while certain Provincial Council powers vested under 13A have systematically been withdrawn periodically from time to time, they proposed those powers withdrawn from Provincial Councils be reinstated and the 13A be implemented in its original form with land, police, finance and administrative powers.