TNA Slams Govt On Broken Promises

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema-Sunday, October 21, 2012

The government has been accused of not honouring its commitments made to India and even the international community of fully implementing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and build upon it to bring a meaningful devolution of power.
TNA Leader R. Sampanthan following a recent visit to New Delhi said the government is not committed to bringing about a meaningful devolution of power. He told The Sunday Leader that the TNA during its discussion with members of the Indian government had discussed the government’s move to centralize powers vested with the provincial councils under the Constitution on the central government.
The TNA had mentioned the controversial Divi Neguma Bill as a clear instance of the government’s insensitivity to the concept of devolving power to the provinces in such a manner as to fully implement the 13th Amendment.
According to Sampanthan, the government does not seem committed to build upon the 13th Amendment to bring a meaningful devolution as the government has continuously committed to do.
“The impression we get is that the commitments made by the Sri Lankan government to India and the international community is not honoured,” he said, adding that the Indian government has been continuously interacting with the Sri Lankan government to see an honourable end to the conflict. The TNA however vowed carry on the campaign against the insensitive conduct of the central government to centralize all powers in the centre.
“The government is able to do this at present because it is in control of many provinces in the country. This position need not continue for all time,” Sampanthan said.