Claiming that the UNP would always back the government if it made a genuine effort to resolve the national issue, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella today enquired what the government intended doing with regard to the request made by the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for a political solution to the national issue which went beyond the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Kiriella who referred to the reports published by the Indian media in this regard, at a news conference said his party would raise a question in this regard when Parliament meets next week.

“The Sri Lankan government will now have to face the music for not adhering to the promises it had given to India and the international community as a whole,” he said  

The UNP MP said Sri Lanka would have to face the consequences, as the BJP government of India had taken one step forward and pledged in its election manifesto that it would have discussions with all state governments in India before formulating its foreign policy.

He also said it was not clear as to how the Sri Lankan government could get on with devolving power when its allies including the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) had totally opposed the devolution of power. He was referring to the 12 demands which the JNP had made, out of which the first one was to do with refraining from implementing the 13th Amendment. (Yohan Perera)