Plan to dilute 13th Amend dismays Manmohan

19 June 2013 03:15 am Views - 4419

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had expressed his dismay over the reports suggesting that the government of Sri Lanka planned to dilute certain key provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution ahead of elections to the Northern Provincial Council, TNN reported.

A six-member delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from Sri Lanka met Singh on Tuesday amid reports that political parties in the island nation were moving to seek an annulment of the 13th Amendment.

Singh is said to have conveyed to the TNA delegation that he was dismayed by reports suggesting that the government of Sri Lanka planned to dilute certain key provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution ahead of elections to the Northern Provincial Council.

"It was noted that the proposed changes raised doubts about the commitments made by the Sri Lankan government to India and the international community, including the United Nations, on a political settlement in Sri Lanka that would go beyond the 13th Amendment," foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

"The changes would also be incompatible with the recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), set up by the government of Sri Lanka, calling for a political settlement based on the devolution of power to the provinces," he added.

The PM said he was deeply concerned about the welfare and well-being of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

"He stressed on the expectation that the Sri Lankan Tamil community would lead a life of dignity, as equal citizens, and reiterated that India would make every effort to ensure the achievement of a future for the community marked by equality, justice and self-respect," the MEA said in a statement.