That problematic 13 A

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti-2013-05-26 

When the Sixth Amendment to the 1978 Constitution became law on 8 August 1983, the practical result was not a nation committed to the concept of territorial sovereignty, but the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) members walking out of Parliament in absolute political rage. The Sri Lankan Parliament and polity had been deeply divided ever since, and the country was subsequently consumed by ethnic violence.

If the reaction to the Sixth Amendment reflected the deep ethnic wounds of Sri Lanka that further eroded the trust between the two communities, the dragging of feet by consecutive governments in implementing the 13th Amendment prove the absence of political will among the political leadership to seek a lasting solution through dialogue.

The current political quagmire is such that on the one hand, the Sri Lankan Government appears keen to hold fresh elections in the North, following the demerger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces. On the other, it seeks to conduct polls, subsequent to a quick abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution under which, the provincial councils were established. While all signals show the government would rather have the amendment done away with, there is Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa claiming, the amendment would stay, and only the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) could determine otherwise. In truth, the PSC is a damp squib and a nonstarter. Referring the matter there would hence be a process- nonstarter.

Seeking abolition

That Problematic 13 A by nelvely