Basil briefs India
2013-07-05
2013-07-05
Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa, who is presently in New Delhi, is expected to brief Indian External Affairs Minister, Salman Kurshid, and Secretary, Ranjan Mathai, on the Sri Lankan Government's stand on the 13th Amendment, and the need to make changes to suit the current situation in Sri Lanka. "The time has come when police and land powers stated in the 13th Amendment have to be seriously reviewed, and Minister Basil Rajapaksa will brief India in this regard," Government Spokesman and Media Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, said at the weekly Cabinet news briefing yesterday.
"The stand of the government is that there have been many changes since the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was made, consequent to the infamous Indo-Lanka Accord, which was thrust by Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, on then President, J.R. Jayewardene.
It is also a matter of protocol and courtesy that Minister Basil Rajapaksa is in the Indian capital to brief its leaders on these developments, Rambukwella told the local and the Colombo based foreign media.
Special discussions will be held on the proposed amendments made to land and the police powers, the minister said, adding, the process would be carried forward to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), which would begin its sessions on 9 July.
The Media Minister also assured the 13th Amendment will not be repealed but amendments would be made to it.
Responding to a question from Ceylon Today, as to the rationale underpinning the government spelling out on the one hand, that it was reducing/diluting the police and land powers, and on the other hand, spelling out that it was increasing the powers of the Provincial Councils through devolution, the minister said, although the 13th Amendment had been in existence for the last 25 years, no Sri Lankan leader had implemented the provisions of the amendment, and it was this government which was to implement it even after making amendments, through the 19th Amendment.
However, Rambukwella said the government would proceed with the Northern Provincial polls in September, which would also mean it would be prior to the recommendations made, and the implementation, of the 19th Amendment.
On being questioned on the government's stand in relation to the Katchchativu Island, and whether he thinks the Indian Government would reclaim it due to Sri Lanka being in the process of diluting the 13th Amendment, Rambukwella said the Indian Government had not made that official as yet. "The government is confident the issue will not arise," he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Basil Rajapaksa is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in Delhi today.
It is also likely that Rajapaksa and the Indian Premier will deliberate on issues related to Indian fishermen, for which the latter had made a written request. Rajapaksa is expected to return to Sri Lanka tonight.
