Fulfil commitment to Sri Lankan Tamils, CPI(M) urges PM

June 22, 2013

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has urged India to play a proactive diplomatic role in discharging its commitment for a future for the Sri Lankan Tamil community marked by equality, justice and self-respect as committed in the 13th Amendment.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of the CPI(M) in the Rajya Sabha Sitaram Yechury said the 13th Amendment was the consequence of the historic Rajiv-Jayawardene Accord and India was expected to play a role in the implementation of the provisions of the accord, while strengthening the best of relations between the two countries.

“It was a relief to hear your comments expressing dismay, as reported by the media, at the suggestion 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,” Mr. Yechury said.

It was noted that the proposed changes raised doubts about the commitments made by Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka government, calling for a political settlement based on the devolution of power to the province.

Mr. Yechury said there was deep concern in India about the welfare and well-being of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and hoped that the Sri Lankan Tamils would lead a life of dignity, as equal citizens, in that country.

Ensure justice for Sri Lankan Tamils: Yechury

By U Anand Kumar -22nd June 2013 

Maintaining that the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution was the consequence of the historic Rajiv-Jayawardene Accord, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury on Friday said that India should play a role in the implementation of the provisions of the accord while strengthening the best of relations between our two sovereign countries.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Yechury urged him to ensure that India played a proactive diplomatic role in discharging its commitment for a future for the Tamil community in Sri Lanka marked by equality, justice and self-respect.

“It was a relief to hear your comments expressing dismay, at the suggestion that the Lankan government planned to dilute key provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution ahead of elections,” Yechury said. There was deep concern in India over the well-being of the Tamil community in Lanka and hoped that Tamil community would lead a life of dignity in Lanka, he added.