India drops reference to 13th Amendment; calls for early PC polls

 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Red Fort, New Delhi. Pix: MEA

India dropped the longstanding specific reference of full implementation '13th amendment' in the Constitution as a solution to ethnic conflict and called for early Provincial polls following high-level talks between the two leaders today. 

Following bilateral talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today in New Delhi following grand welcome ceremonies at Red Fort, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed: 

"We hope that the  Sri Lankan government shall fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people," Indian Premier Modi said.

Without drawing the usual reference of 13th amendment, Indian Premier said: "And that they shall fulfil their commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka and conducting the Provincial Council Elections,"

President Dissanayake is currently on a three day official visit to India after taking office in November. 

Earlier, President Dissanayake was invited to New Delhi ahead of Presidential polls following an invitation extended by the Indian government. 

President Dissanayake's Peoples' Liberation Front (JVP) consistently opposed to any meaningful power devolution claiming that it will threatened to the unitary state of the country.

JVP senior leader Tilvin Silva recently assured that 13th amendment which paved way for setting up of PCs across the country won't be removed until an alternative mechanism put in place after coming under severe criticism of doing away with 13th amendment in the Constitution. (Northeastern Monitor/ December 16/2024)