The Sri Lankan government's Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella, stated the government plans to amend the 13th Amendment, "in view of the LLRC’s recommendations, on going discussions with the TNA and establishment of the Select Committee on the National Question".
Speaking to The Island newspaper, in an interview published on Monday, his comments are the latest in a steady line of mixed messages from government spokespersons on the 13th Amendment, in the run up to the next round of talks between the government and the TNA.
India's External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna, is due to arrive on a four-day visit just before the TNA-government talks, scheduled to take place from the 17th January to the 19th January.His remarks came just after the government proclaimed that they were willing to discuss land and police powers, which came just before one a government minister, speaking on behalf of the government, vehemently refused to even discuss the issue.
See here for The Island interview in full.
Extracts are reproduced below:
Q:- The Tamil National Alliance wants land and police powers to be implemented in terms of the 13th Amendment. Is the government agreeable?
A:- We have serious concerns about granting land and police powers in toto.
Q:- In other words it cannot be given?
A:-Not necessarily. What I mean is that a compromise can be reached on the extent of land and police powers that could be devolved. It is something that can be discussed. The 13th Amendment grants blanket powers over land and the police. So we need to talk. Powers in certain areas can be granted to the provinces.
Q:- Like community police powers, etc?
A:-Quite so. If the Tamil National Alliance is genuine, will they want the Chief Ministers of the North and East to possess powers that grant them the right to prevent the Head of State from visiting those provinces. Will the Tamils accept such a situation?
Q:- The TNA says 13th Amendment in toto and nothing less and India is backing them. What has the government got to say?
A:-Fine, but we are open to discussions. India understands Sri Lanka better than anyone else and there is an ongoing dialogue with them.
The head of the Sri Lankan government's delegation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, recently refuted claims that Sri Lanka was under pressure from India regarding the talks.
