Indian PM to TNA: ‘Dismayed’ over reports of 13A dilutions
Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:30
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In response to questions from the media during the visit by a delegation from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to India, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, India made the following statement yesterday:
A six-member delegation of the Tamil National Alliance, Sri Lanka is visiting India from 16-19 June 2013. The delegation is led by R. Sampanthan, MP and consists of Mavai S. Senathirajah (MP), K. (Suresh) Premachandran (MP), P. Selvarajah (MP), Selvam Adaikkalanathan (MP) and M.A. Sumanthiran (MP). A TNA delegation had also visited India in October 2012. The TNA delegation called on the Prime Minister yesterday. They had earlier called on the External Affairs Minister and the National Security Adviser.
The Prime Minister conveyed to the TNA delegation that he was dismayed by reports suggesting that the Government of Sri Lanka planned to dilute certain key provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution ahead of elections to the Northern Provincial Council.
It was noted that the proposed changes raised doubts about the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Government to India and the international community, including the United Nations, on a political settlement in Sri Lanka that would go beyond the 13th Amendment.
The changes would also be incompatible with the recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), set up by the Government of Sri Lanka, calling for a political settlement based on the devolution of power to the provinces.
The Prime Minister stated that he was deeply concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. He stressed on the expectation that the Sri Lankan Tamil community would lead a life of dignity, as equal citizens, and reiterated that India would make every effort to ensure the achievement of a future for the community marked by equality, justice and self-respect.
