13th Amendment is in the basic law..!! But never implemented by Sinhala Govts/Bureaucrats due to unwanted fear/hate and racism/discrimination..!!

Thursday, July 02, 2009
‘Refrain from making conflicting statements’

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has firmly told constituent party leaders on Tuesday to refrain from making conflicting statements on the ethnic problem and the devolution of power as it would be detrimental to his plans to resolve the problem through a political dialogue, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said. “The issue of finding a solution to the ethnic problem and bringing durable peace to the country is my job. I have determined to achieve this objective and I have a mandate from the people to fulfil that.

Hence, no one must comment or express anything supportive or dissenting on the devolution of power and the 13th Amendment. Trust me and I will deliver according to the wishes of all communities,’ President Rajapaksa has said.

Addressing the weekly government press briefing yesterday at his office, Minister Lakshman Yapa while reiterating the government’s commitment to resolve the ethnic conflict through a new Constitution based on the APRC proposals added that what ever solution should be approved in parliament by a 2/3 majority and then through a memorandum.

“President specifically instructed me to convey to you his determination to resolve the ethnic conflict through a political dialogue approved by the people through a memorandum. Before that all political parties must arrive at a consensus on the APRC formula that will be enshrined in the new Constitution.

However, the final decision would be given by the people in a referendum,” Minister Lakshman Yapa told the media quoting President Rajapaksa.

President is ready to devolve power beyond the 13th Amendment if that is what the people and the political parties want. The Mahinda Chinthana policy framework on which President Rajapaksa elected to power in 2005 has clearly mentioned the methodology on how he is going to resolve the ethnic conflict once and for all, he stressed.

President also wants me to convey to you that what ever solution will be a homegrown one similar to that of how President Rajapaksa as the Commander-in-Chief conducted the war against terrorism.

The successful conclusion of the humanitarian operation even before any one can expect was totally based on home grown military strategies without any foreign help. Similarly mechanism will be put in place to resolve the ethnic conflict.

“Terrorism, the most crucial issue from which the country suffered is no more. Finding a solution to the second most important issue, the ethnic problem that hampers the country’s progress will not be a big deal for me,” President has said.Referring to the conflicting statements made by certain politicians including Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister Lakshman Yapa said the power has been already devolved under the 13th Amendment and the Provincial Council and the Proportional Representative System is the result.

“The 13th Amendment is in the basic law. It may be a piece of legislation forced down Sri Lanka’s throat under the circumstances at that time. But we must not forget that it is in the Constitution approved in Parliament by 2/3 majority and then by the Supreme Court.

We must accept it whether we like it or not,” Minister Lakshman Yapa emphasized.

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