Thursday, 21 August 2014 00:00
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says it will urge Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj to push for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
TNA Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran said that the party will look to several key issues with the Indian Government, including the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, during a visit to New Delhi beginning today.
The Government has refused to fully implement the 13th Amendment especially a clause which calls for police powers to be devolved to the provinces.
Sumanthiran reporters at a media briefing today the TNA will urge India to ensure Sri Lanka fully implements the 13th Amendment as the Government had earlier given that assurance to India.
The TNA is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the External Affairs Minister among others.
This will be the first meeting the TNA is having with the new Indian Government since it assumed office after winning the recent elections.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa had yesterday insisted that police powers will not be devolved to the provinces under any circumstances.
Rajapaksa said that all the provincial councils are already enjoying the authority to administer their respective areas. However he said police powers will remain in the hands of the Government.
The Indian Government had over the weekend said it wants to see powers devolved to the provinces in Sri Lanka.
India said it has followed a principled approach towards the situation in Sri Lanka, especially in respect of implementation of the LLRC recommendations, devolution of powers and progress towards a meaningful political settlement. (Colombo Gazette)
