Why the Tamils want the 13th A implemented in full

A Direct appeal was made to the President by the Mahanayakes (head monks) of all four Buddhist chapters against the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

They point out that the implementation of the 13th A in full is deplorable and reprehensible. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s experienced political vision, mission and India’s moral responsibility are the safeguards for Tamils. This statement was made by Dr.N. Kumaraguruparan, the Vice President of Tamil Professionals Forum, when he addressed the media. The following are excerpts of what he told the media. 

“Recently, suddenly we woke up from a long slumber after 25 years calling for the non implementation of the 13th Amendment, which is a part of the constitution. Calling for a referendum is an idiotic thought of some racial politicians those who depend on racism for their electoral victory. In this backdrop the ‘Tamil Professionals Forum’ takes this opportunity to congratulate the personalities, the President Ranil Wickremesinghe, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Dilan Perera for their straightforwardness. There are further more senior politicians who are in favour of implementing the 13th Amendment. The President has every right to implement what is in the Constitution at his discretion. A call for a referendum has no relevance going by what exists in the country’s Constitution.  

“It is a type of racism and sectarianism that has driven all four Buddhist Chapters directly to appeal to the President that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution should not be fully implemented. Such a call must be condemned. However, the political figure of President Wickremesinghe and the moral responsibility of India are safeguarding Sri Lanka’s Tamils.  
 “At the time when racial animosity was at its peak and aerial attacks took place in the north, India dropped food parcels from the air. But With a strong sense of responsibility, Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lanka’s powerful president and a Buddhist J.R Jayewardene, appointed the Sri Lankan Indian Scholars and drafted the Indo Sri Lanka Peace Accord and leaders of both nations signed the treaty; giving birth to the 13th Amendment. It attained the status of an international ‘treaty’.  
“Historically, the ethnic conflicts and cries for aspirations of the Tamil people existed in a lower profile. However Tamil extreme political parties have existed without a plan; taking no worthwhile action.  

“The provincial councils for the struggle they put in the North and the East were able to enjoy the devolution of power for the entire Sri Lankan territory. Even the Southern Sinhalese chief ministers have also in the past asserted more administrative land and police powers for the minority. When the Tamil leaders elected by the people are looking forward to a political solution within a united Sri Lanka, the political situation of the Tamils has again been questioned due to the insistence that the 13th Amendment should not be implemented. Those who oppose it have highlighted federalism. Given the economic environment the doubts of having elections for the provincial councils is simply regrettable. Forgetting India’s colossal economic assistance a cry for the non-implementation of the 13th Amendment perhaps makes India’s position miserable.   

(Dr.N. Kumaraguruparan served as the General Secretary of All Ceylon Tamil Congress after the assassination of Kumar Ponnambalam and was one of the four signatories to form the TNA, was a Provincial Councillor from Colombo District. The writer holds the following qualifications: ACMA, CBA, AICIA, ACFA, CFC, DIPFM, FIMS, FACB, MIFC, FAEA.