Lanka can't toe India line on 13th Amendment: Gotabaya

27 May 2013 03:07 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The influential Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has said Sri Lanka should jettison the system of devolution contained in the India-inspired 13th Amendment of the country’s constitution, irrespective of India’s reaction.

“Just because India or some other country will get angry, we cannot stop doing what is good for our country,” Gotabaya told the Tamil daily Sudar Oli on Sunday.

He was asked if his statements against the devolution of power to the provinces would not irk India, which was responsible for the promulgation of the existing devolution system through the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987 and the 13th constitutional amendment which followed it. Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid had recently expressed displeasure over Lanka’s attempts to prune the 13th amendment to deny the provinces powers over land and police.

Gotabaya expressed the fear that if the Tamil majority Northern Province went into the hands of the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) following the September 2013 elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), that province would demand power over land and police and jeopardize national integrity and security.

He recalled that the 13th amendment did not have the people’s support when it was enacted in 1987. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna had “set fire to the whole country,” and the LTTE leader Prabhakaran had rejected it, he pointed out.

“Why should we implement it merely because it meets India’s needs?” Gotabaya asked.

According to him some forces were trying to weaken Lanka’s Central Executive by divesting it of powers of land and the police; demanding independent commissions to make official appointments; and promoting an independent judiciary. Gotabaya, who is President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sibling, suggested that Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims, should all “forget” about the 13th amendment and think about a “reasonable” solution to the ethnic question. (Source: Indian Express)

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Comments - 16

dIREsTRAITS Monday, 27 May 2013 03:26 AM

Gota is correct. What ever the solution, it should be created by Sri Lankans for the good of Sri Lankans. Not for India, USA, JVP , JHU, BBS, Tamils or Sinhala buddhists only. Let us all (Sinahala, Tamil, Muslim, Burger etc.. ) get together as Sri Lankans and come up with a solution. Lets kick the trouble makes out as they are nothing but that. That is the only solution which will last. Put all the cards on the table and have a referendum ? Only if Gota use this, will conduct it free and fair! Will you sir?

Andrew Pitugala Monday, 27 May 2013 03:37 AM

There are apparent conflicts within conflicts, but it all starts at the top.

Iranga Monday, 27 May 2013 03:53 AM

A man with a backbone!

Ha Ha Ha Monday, 27 May 2013 03:54 AM

How come the Secretary to the minister countering the minister. Can this work with other ministries ??????????

MagodisThuma Monday, 27 May 2013 03:57 AM

Chandi Kolla !

Fayad Monday, 27 May 2013 04:09 AM

We should not try to satisfy any country in east or west, but all citizens must be included in the solution plan irrespective of race or religion for long lasting peace.

mudannayake wijeband Monday, 27 May 2013 04:10 AM

sec.Gotabaya is 100 p.c correct, but can we live upto his opinion. wije

nirosha Monday, 27 May 2013 05:16 AM

Gota is the best.......///// Our Leader Of military .Best of luck sri lanka

Kondebedapucheena Monday, 27 May 2013 05:39 AM

When Milband and Other western gang came here to stop the war same thing would have told them too

Sagara Jayalath Monday, 27 May 2013 05:45 AM

You are 100% correct sir.You are a brave & intelligent leader for us.

C.K.Lankaputhra Monday, 27 May 2013 06:27 AM

Can a public servant act and talk in this manner?

kalpa Monday, 27 May 2013 08:03 AM

Gota is Correct. We should have freedom to solve our problem

DAVID Monday, 27 May 2013 02:44 PM

PLEASE DONT GO BEYOND YOUR CAPACITY AS A CIVIL SERVANT.

Jhone Tuesday, 28 May 2013 12:30 AM

Gota is a genuine person loves the country.

mani Tuesday, 28 May 2013 04:38 PM

this is none of your business. leave it to the people who have been elected to do handle this

Roshan Wednesday, 29 May 2013 07:11 AM

Dear Sir you is all time go to correct path.. u is a genuine person loves the country....

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Lanka can't toe India line on 13th Amendment: Gotabaya

Comments - 16

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