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We should not listen to India on 13 A - Gotabaya

2 July 2013 05:13 pm - 44     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today that Sri Lanka should not listen to India with regard to the implementation of the 13th Amendment as the national problem was inherently one that should be solved by Sri Lankans.

“We should not listen to India on this; this doesn’t meant that we lose the relationship we have with India. But if there is a problem it should only be solved by Sri Lankans and not India,” he said.

He said the national question should have a homegrown solution -- and the debate about 13th Amendment should not affect the relations between the two countries.

“India is our friend and we need to continue the good relations. This should not be an issue to strain our relationship, and I’m of the view that India understands that. They should understand that this is inherently a Sri Lankan issue and we have to address it with a solution that we devise” he said,
Rajapaksa said the “alienation of provinces based on ethnicity” was not the solution to the ethnic issue.

“This is not the solution; and it has failed. There are Tamils living in all parts of the country and Muslims too -- so what about them? How does the Provincial Council system solve their problems? I believe in the decentralisation of administration; but I don’t believe that areas should be demarcated according to ethnicity, religion, caste or creed. This country belongs to all Sri Lankans and we have to think in those terms,” he said. (Hafeel Farisz)

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  Comments - 44

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  • Asoka Jayawardane Wednesday, 03 July 2013 07:05 AM

    Sir ,you must tell India, Tamil Nadu belongs to Tamils and Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhalese.

    Jagath Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:27 AM

    Very Good. Ask them to fly a kite!!!!!

    surain lal Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:28 AM

    Mr. GR are you a government servant or a politician ? sorry to ask this question most of us confused

    Boobamba Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:38 AM

    Well said Sir. You are a true patriotic son of Sri Lanka.

    Sim Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:39 AM

    We can do what ever we want if we are self sufficent. Why run to America if you can live in your own country? Ask all the politicians not to have Green Cards.

    ind Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:40 AM

    Minority is not only Tamils live in North. The majority of Tamils live with Sinhalese don't have so called issues which North Tamils, rather Tamil diaspora have.

    Van der Merwe Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:44 AM

    Yah yah yah.....Well said, Well said, Well said Gota, MR... bla bla bla...Keep saying without knowing facts.

    Mason Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:47 AM

    True we need not listen to India on 13A. However, this does not mean that we should accept that what is bulldozed by the UPFA/MR & Bros.

    kumar Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:47 AM

    The present situation make you to speak like that. You can curtail the minority rights and can dance according to the tune of Sinhala racists. But the time will come then you will have to listen to the International community.

    True Citizon Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:53 AM

    majority agree with you .minority????.First you make the environment to agree them.what you do is burning their wrights and feeding & sponsoring the radical elements.Not a single minority with his backbone will agree

    Aceman Wednesday, 03 July 2013 07:01 AM

    Very well said, Ind

    Yehiya Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:27 AM

    Pirabakaran told, we are the easily forgetting nation.He can blast the bomb in same place with in two weeks.JR also tried to solve lot of things without India.After that he knee down to India.
    What is the limitation for the government servant. Opposition is not correcting the issue or not pointing the weakness, But MR in major trouble near future.

    ind Wednesday, 03 July 2013 07:09 AM

    You know all the facts!! ha ha !!!!

    Gemba Wednesday, 03 July 2013 07:18 AM

    India is not our master or colonizer. Tell them to fly a kite. We are not a colony of India.

    angelo Wednesday, 03 July 2013 07:20 AM

    Thanks a lot Sir, If we give the provincial council .They will
    easily create ealam.

    weerawardena Wednesday, 03 July 2013 07:39 AM

    yes this is our problem. it should be settled here. in favour of all srilankan. not in favour of india.

    jay Wednesday, 03 July 2013 09:35 AM

    very well said ind! what a super reply to idiotic hippo!

    Lakpriya Wednesday, 03 July 2013 09:36 AM

    Well said Sir…May you have the power and courage to rescue this country from all evil forces and to restore this country back to its ancient glory.

    ind Wednesday, 03 July 2013 10:35 AM

    He is the Defense Secretary. He has security concerns. So he has a right to talk regarding that.

    Lasange Thursday, 04 July 2013 03:50 AM

    Exactly like pillayan, KP and karuna

    Ganesh Thursday, 04 July 2013 06:07 AM

    Then why did the president say loud and clearly to the entire world that he would put forward a solution to the national problem no sooner the war was over and also he did not fail to say the war was waged by India What does it mean? Where had you all been and what were you doing ?

    Ganesh Thursday, 04 July 2013 07:53 AM

    Funny discovery after 25 years even it was said LTTE was the hindrance for any political solution but now the tune and songs are different .This has been the same old story since 1957
    This double tongue political bluffing which led to armed groups. However at least ,had the Oslo suggestions been agreed upon by
    megalomaniac LTTE leadership without impotent obstinacy ,now everybody who crows could have been keeping mum.

    Wesly Wednesday, 03 July 2013 01:35 AM

    I am fully agree with him.

    Malin Tuesday, 02 July 2013 10:57 PM

    Well said Mr.Gotabhaya.

    Ranjith Silva Tuesday, 02 July 2013 11:11 PM

    Well said, the Gentleman. Few of our Ministers does not have back-bones and crying for NGO money. The reality is the MAJORITY is with YOU.

    Ariya Tuesday, 02 July 2013 11:50 PM

    13th Amendment reminds us of an instance where our Constitution was amended by India using her dominance - a very repugnant situation indeed. In reality, this is tantamount to another country legislating for us. As Gota asserts, we have the sovereign right to legislate for us as we deem it fit and proper to serve the interests of the country and her people without any interference on the part of India.

    Manisha Tuesday, 02 July 2013 11:54 PM

    Well said dear sir, whether it should or shouldn't its not Indias business who created these problems in SL in the first place.

    Ariya Wednesday, 03 July 2013 12:09 AM

    Some of the provisions in the 13th Amendment, namely those relating to land and police powers, if implemented, will most certainly lead to critical situations detrimentally affecting the sovereignty and unitary nature of the Sri Lankan state. If we as a sovereign country proceed to remove such provisions, on what basis can India compel us to hold back such action?

    Concerned citizen Wednesday, 03 July 2013 12:50 AM

    Very well said, sir. Thank you!

    Szilva Wednesday, 03 July 2013 12:57 AM

    But no Sri Lankan seems to care about the 13 A, as they are too busy trying to make ends meet.

    dhammika Wednesday, 03 July 2013 01:08 AM

    YES , listen to KP , DAYA master and finally to LTTE.

    Cobra Wednesday, 03 July 2013 01:15 AM

    Then did Basil go to India to tell this to Singh?

    jamal Wednesday, 03 July 2013 01:29 AM

    But, we must listen to the stand of minorities especially Tamils.

    Smart Tuesday, 02 July 2013 10:28 PM

    Well said Sir Indian has its own issues to deal with before fingering into other nations

    Hippo Wednesday, 03 July 2013 02:05 AM

    We can not stand on our own feet. We have no technology or natural resources.

    Roi Wednesday, 03 July 2013 02:07 AM

    No country needs foreign help to resolve their national issues unless been invited

    AL-AMBRILLA Wednesday, 03 July 2013 02:21 AM

    Yes... It's two way dialog. PSC has set up there for that... Minorities need Sir Lanka.

    Ram Wednesday, 03 July 2013 02:26 AM

    we no need to listen but international make you to listed did you registered your property details with USA .

    Dk Wednesday, 03 July 2013 02:35 AM

    Agree with him on this matter!!

    abey Wednesday, 03 July 2013 04:13 AM

    yes..this is true.

    ind Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:10 AM

    Well said. But hope you will stick to your words.

    ind Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:12 AM

    How did we stand on our feet regarding LTTE ??

    Garry Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:23 AM

    I agree not to repeal certain powers but to abolish completely.

    Porky Pig Wednesday, 03 July 2013 06:24 AM

    What a idiot. You normally do not make such statements. Need to be given the same doctorate as Mervin.


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