Withdraw the 13th amendment and introduce District Project Councils with District Project Ministers appointed by Parliament
Posted on June 27th, 2011
By Gamage Palihapitiya, Toronto, Canada
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The concept of separatism is declining from the world’s political scene.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ World has realised the consequeneces after what happened in Yugoslavia and the former Soviet Union.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ More problems, ethnic, social and economic have erupted in those countries.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is time to look twice before we advocate for any attempts leading to a separate state in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
In Canada, the province of Quebec was one of the first places in the recent history that advocated for a separate state within the Canadian Federation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Quebec province didn’t sign the Patriation Bill introduced tby the able leadership of Pierre Trudeau in the 80’s.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Prime Minister Trudeau speculated they they will come around.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, the PLQ, the arms wing of the separatist movement resorted to violence and failed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Conservative government elected in 1988, made all constitutional arrangements withe provincial government though the Meech Lake Accord to grant some reforms to the Quebec Province, it was not ratified by two province, New Foundland and Manitoba, thus all efforts by the federal government went astray.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A new political party called the BQ party came in to being and they made a vigorous campaigns for autonomy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Two referendums were held and both were unsuccessful to acheive a mandate.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, they captured more seats in federal parliament and continued until 2011, when they were completely routed out by their own Quebecers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They got only 5 seats out of 75.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This defeat is the culmination of the far sighted policies of respective governments and more particularly, the combined afforts of federal political parties.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This should be an eye opener for Sri Lanka, where it was reported in the press that the federal party of Sri Lanka had got a cue from Canadian politics according to late M. Sivasithamparam.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
So much has been written on the 13th amendment introduced in 1987 as a result of the Indo Sri Lanka accord signed by JRJ, Rajive Gandhi and Prabhakaran, the LTTE leader.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In my opinion, the Accord was not ratified by the Sri Lankan ParliamentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The 13th amendment was brought before the parliament and it was introduced by an Oxford educated legal luminary, Lalith Athulathmudali.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Gamini Dissanayake, another finest minds in the political areana was the architect withe expressed authori from JRH the first President of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Prime Minister at that time was Ranasinghe Premadasa who opposed first and later reconciled with the administration for his own benefits.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
JRJ having witnessedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ these unprecedented events that happened in the country in his own eyes, as a result of this obnoxious legislation passed away peacefully, while his collegues, Athulathmudali, Dissanayake and Premadasa lost their precious lives, unfortunately.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Prabhakaran was killed during the military operation in 2009.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rajive Gandhi was also killed by the LTTE.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Therefore, one has to conclude that signatories and the architects of this document are not living today. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This document brought chaos to the country and it is a dead letter;an obsolete paper.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is not worth the paper which is written on.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It was a unilateral decision on the part of the Unpe Government without consulting the opposition parties.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ An agreement between two countries should bring prosperity, solace and tranquility to the signing parties, however, it didn’t happen.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Presumably, it isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a documentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ signed between some individuals and not a bipartisan one.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is also important to remember that two Indian Diplomats, G. Parthsarthi and J.N. Dixit were operating behind the scene.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
In Canada, the province of Quebec was one of the first places in the recent history that advocated for a separate state within the Canadian Federation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Quebec province didn’t sign the Patriation Bill introduced tby the able leadership of Pierre Trudeau in the 80’s.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Prime Minister Trudeau speculated they they will come around.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, the PLQ, the arms wing of the separatist movement resorted to violence and failed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Conservative government elected in 1988, made all constitutional arrangements withe provincial government though the Meech Lake Accord to grant some reforms to the Quebec Province, it was not ratified by two province, New Foundland and Manitoba, thus all efforts by the federal government went astray.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A new political party called the BQ party came in to being and they made a vigorous campaigns for autonomy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Two referendums were held and both were unsuccessful to acheive a mandate.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, they captured more seats in federal parliament and continued until 2011, when they were completely routed out by their own Quebecers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They got only 5 seats out of 75.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This defeat is the culmination of the far sighted policies of respective governments and more particularly, the combined afforts of federal political parties.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This should be an eye opener for Sri Lanka, where it was reported in the press that the federal party of Sri Lanka had got a cue from Canadian politics according to late M. Sivasithamparam.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
So much has been written on the 13th amendment introduced in 1987 as a result of the Indo Sri Lanka accord signed by JRJ, Rajive Gandhi and Prabhakaran, the LTTE leader.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In my opinion, the Accord was not ratified by the Sri Lankan ParliamentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The 13th amendment was brought before the parliament and it was introduced by an Oxford educated legal luminary, Lalith Athulathmudali.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Gamini Dissanayake, another finest minds in the political areana was the architect withe expressed authori from JRH the first President of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Prime Minister at that time was Ranasinghe Premadasa who opposed first and later reconciled with the administration for his own benefits.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
JRJ having witnessedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ these unprecedented events that happened in the country in his own eyes, as a result of this obnoxious legislation passed away peacefully, while his collegues, Athulathmudali, Dissanayake and Premadasa lost their precious lives, unfortunately.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Prabhakaran was killed during the military operation in 2009.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rajive Gandhi was also killed by the LTTE.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Therefore, one has to conclude that signatories and the architects of this document are not living today. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This document brought chaos to the country and it is a dead letter;an obsolete paper.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is not worth the paper which is written on.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It was a unilateral decision on the part of the Unpe Government without consulting the opposition parties.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ An agreement between two countries should bring prosperity, solace and tranquility to the signing parties, however, it didn’t happen.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Presumably, it isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a documentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ signed between some individuals and not a bipartisan one.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is also important to remember that two Indian Diplomats, G. Parthsarthi and J.N. Dixit were operating behind the scene.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
The SLFP headed by Mrs. Bandaranaike carried out a vigorous campaign with some Buddhist monks, JVP nationalists and other intellectuals.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They went head on collision with the government security forces and made an impact on the political landscape.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They deserve our profound thanks.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If not for them, Sri Lanka would have become a Satelite state of India.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
That is why, JRJ didn’t take any steps to implement the 13th amendment in full force during his tenure of office.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His successor, Ranasinghe Premadasa too ignored the implementing the 13th amendment, alhough, JRJ established provincial councils throughout the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He had to abolish the North-Eastern provincial council after Vartharajah Perumal declared a separate state unilaterally.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He fled the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Chandrika Bandaranaike too didn’t want to get involved because of Mrs. Bandaranaike and other nationalists in the SLFP.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
When the SLFP came to power in 1956 under the able leadership of Soloman Bandaranaie, rural masses had been neglected by the UNP regime.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He made the Sinhala official language, nationalised foreign bases, established two Pirivena Universities, nationalised harbours, nationalised the bus companies, uplifted the Sinhala-Buddhist culture, among various other progressive measures, such as establishing diplomatic ties with Russia and China.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We are reaping the benefits of these progressive measures.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Mrs. Bandaranake, as a visionary politician had an alliance with the LSSP and the CP and went further to alleviate the suffering of the poor masses.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Private schools were taken over by the government and her government nationalised foreign banks, foreign owned estates, promulgated a Sri Lankan constitution, held the non-algned conference in 1975 in Colombo.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Due to these measures sons and daughters of the down tradded rural masses began to raise their heads.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ To day, they have climed to the top and hold higher positions in the public and the private sectors.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They have become the voices of the wise.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They are wiser to day, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and more knowledgeableƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ than twenty fourƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ years ago when the 13th amendment was introduced.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
With the recent visits to and from India by various VIPS, the old ape, the 13th amendment is trying to raise it’s ugly head.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Intellectuals are distancing themselves from the government.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rural masses who voted for Mahinda Rajapaks have still faith in him and they respect him.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They believe that he will fulfill his election pledge that Sri Lanka will remain a unitary state.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We know the plight undergoing our poor masses.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We are not concerned about the cost of living, but concerned about the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If a separate state is established due to the implementation of the 13th amendment, it would be an irreparable damage to the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Historicalevidence andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ archeological excavations prove beyond any doubt thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ our country has been a unitary state since immemmorial times.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ When Robert Knox was captured in KOTTIAR in the Eastern District, he was brought before the Sinhala King in Kandy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Georgraphically, socially and economically it is not feasible to divide the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Country should remain in tact.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is the SLFP policy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sinhalese, Tamils, Moslems, Malays, Burghars live in harmony and peace throughout the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Jaffna Tamil merchants do business in Kandy, Badulla, Bandarawela, etc. and they live in palatial bungalows.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Do they want a separate state within Sri Lanka?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ I don’t think so.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Now, it is time to withdraw the 13th amendment and instead introduce a Project Mistry Councils at District Level at each district headed by a District Minister.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He should be a member of Parliament and he could be nominated by the heads of local govenments institutions in the district and be appointed by the Parliament.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Members of Parliament in the district and heads of local government should be other members of the councils.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ These councils will initiate projects in agriculture, education, health, construction of roads, buildins, iriigational canals.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is similar to the expansion of district co-ordinating committes.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The government agent of the area should be the secretary.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Under this system, 24 district ministers should be appointedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and they will belong to different political parties.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Parliamnet has the ultimate authority to delegate powers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Unitary state will prevail.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
June 28th, 2011 at 5:23 am
For me, Anoma1 is a Christian NGO.
Administrative decentralization is needed.
Please no more politicians. We have too many. Their only wish is voters and winning the election.
They are simply politicians and their only objective is to make money and get rich fast and ask for votes.
June 28th, 2011 at 8:23 am
GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME. LET CONTRIBUTORS AND PEOPLE WHO MAKE COMMENTS IN THIS FORUM, NOT FIGHT AMONGST EACH OTHER. PLEASE.
June 28th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Anoma 1, You have REPEATED what you have said here, in almost all the inputs in this forum. WHY ? I see your stubborn, childish, bellingernt, behavior. PLEASE DO NOT GO ON THE LTTE CONCEPT, THAT IF YOU KEEP ON REPEATING, IT HAS TO BE ACCEPTED AS GOSPEL TRUTH. IAM NOT TELLING THAT YOU ARE TELLING LIES. NO.
I believe that THE EDITOR, will leave your comments in this input, and delete all your repetitions in the inputs in this forum. It is aggravating to see so many repetitions. I mean no malice. It is just disgusting.
June 28th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Anoma1, I never had any intention of silencing people. You are assuming that the Editors have called you a Liar. Not publishing an article does not necessarily mean that. Please believe me, you have not angered me in anyway. Though you will not know, the Editors may have censored so many others articles by other contributors. One article that I wanted published was NOT PUBLISHED. I had no reason to fight with the Editors for that. That is their prerogative.
The Editors will understand, and be kind to you.
Keep writing Anoma1. PLEASE COOL OFF.
June 28th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
This guy, Anoma1, does not know that Lankaweb has provided an interactive facility that allows readers to leave comments without going through the time consuming moderating process. He should have noted this when he posted those abusive comments he made. So undoubtedly he has grossly abused the privilege provided for us to make worthwhile comments on Lankaweb. As most of his comments are defamatory I earnestly request Lankaweb to cancel his access registration immediately
June 28th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Lankaweb is run by volunteers and they are doing a noble job. Never misuse the good opportunity provided. Very few original news sites allow comments. That too after a very long process of moderation that no one can engage in a conversation. Please don’t misuse this good opportunity.
Remember there are 2 types of people.
1. Those who love UNITARY SL.
2. Those who don’t.
I really don’t see the need to accommodate #2 type people in ANY WAY. They don’t deserve to live in SL let alone post comments here!
June 29th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Hello Gamage! AGREE WITH U 110%. Very valuable article. Keep them coming please. Thanks a bunch