Overview of 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka was passed in 1987 and introduced devolution of power to provincial councils. It aimed to address the grievances of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, who had been subjected to discrimination and marginalization for generations. The amendment was part of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed between India and Sri Lanka, which sought to bring an end to the ethnic conflict in the country. The amendment, however, was never fully implemented, resulting in continued unrest in the country.
Sri Lankan President Pledges Full Implementation
Recently, Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has pledged to fully implement the 13th Amendment, in order to bring peace and stability to the country. President Sirisena has urged all political parties in the country to come together and support the implementation of the Amendment. He has also asked the government to take steps to strengthen the provincial councils and ensure that they have the necessary resources to fulfill their responsibilities.
Significance of the 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment is seen as an important step towards reconciliation and peace in Sri Lanka. It is widely believed that the full implementation of the Amendment could help to bring about lasting peace and stability in the country. The Amendment provides for the establishment of provincial councils, which are empowered to exercise certain powers and functions in the provinces, including the power to make laws in respect of various matters. This would enable the provincial governments to exercise greater autonomy and power, and thereby provide a greater sense of security and empowerment to the Tamil minority.
Opposition to the 13th Amendment
However, the full implementation of the 13th Amendment has faced opposition from certain sections of the society. Some political parties have argued that the Amendment would lead to the disintegration of the country and give the Tamil minority too much autonomy. They have argued that the Amendment should be amended or scrapped altogether, in order to protect the country’s unity and integrity.
Reactions from the Tamil Community
The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has welcomed the President’s pledge to fully implement the 13th Amendment. They have called on the government to take concrete steps towards the implementation of the Amendment and ensure that the provincial councils are given the necessary resources to exercise their powers and functions. The Tamil community has also urged the government to ensure that all political parties come together and cooperate in order to ensure the successful implementation of the Amendment.
International Support
The international community, including the United Nations and other international organizations, have welcomed the President’s pledge to fully implement the 13th Amendment. They have urged the government to take all necessary steps to ensure the successful implementation of the Amendment. They have also expressed their support for the Tamil community and have called on the government to ensure that the rights and interests of the Tamil minority are respected and protected.
Way Forward
It remains to be seen whether the government will be able to fulfill its pledge to fully implement the 13th Amendment. The success of the implementation of the Amendment will depend on the cooperation of all the political parties and the support of the international community. It is hoped that the successful implementation of the Amendment will help to bring about lasting peace and stability in Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has recently pledged to fully implement the 13th Amendment, in order to bring peace and stability to the country. The Amendment is seen as an important step towards reconciliation and peace in Sri Lanka and its full implementation could help to bring about lasting peace and stability in the country. The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has welcomed the President’s pledge and has urged the government to take concrete steps towards the implementation of the Amendment. The international community, including the United Nations, has also expressed their support for the Tamil community and has called on the government to ensure that the rights and interests of the Tamil minority are respected and protected. It remains to be seen whether the government will be able to fulfill its pledge to fully implement the 13th Amendment.
