The Movement for People’s Struggle (MPS), a breakaway faction of the JVP, said today that the devolution of land and police powers or the implementation of the 13th Amendment plus would not resolve the national question.   

PMS member Pubudu Jayagoda, who was in the politburo of the JVP at that time, said that his political movement always accepts the right of Tamil people to demand their rights.

“Politically, we do not believe that the devolution of land and police powers to the provinces can resolve the problem. We oppose it in principle. We have a basis for that. Yet, we urge the government to restore normalcy in the north. Still, the names of persons who are detained have not been revealed to their parents and relatives. There is heavy military presence in the north. These concerns must be addressed,” he said.

Mr. Jayagoda said that the MPS would try to convince both the Sinhala and Tamil communities that this problem could be resolved only through the restoration of equality and democracy for all.

He said that the elitist groups of both the communities could never reach out to the people in this manner. (Kelum Bandara)