28 March, 2024

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The 13th Amendment: Is It The Best Model To Share Power?

By Dinesh D. Dodamgoda

Dinesh Dodamgoda

Dinesh Dodamgoda

As soon as Mr. Maithripala Sirisena became the President of Sri Lanka, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the British Tamil Forum (BTF) issued statements and reminded President-elect the need to “urgently” address the minority’s concerns. BTF stated that only a political solution recognising the right to self-determination of the Tamil nation in Sri Lanka can address core issues of autonomy to the Tamil people, de-militarisation of the Tamil areas and cooperation with the UNHRS’s international inquiry.

The TNA and the BTF statements indicate a solution that aims at sharing power on the basis of the principle of “territoriality”. Territoriality uses geographical areas to create and administer autonomous regions. The principle of territorial power sharing was initially recommended as a second tier of government by the Donoughmore Commissioners in 1928. However, it was recommended not to address Tamil nationalist concerns, yet to bring structural changes to the constitution to reduce the level of centralisation that the British rulers used in order to consolidate the power of the colonial state.

Territoriality in SL

The principle of territoriality was adopted to guide negotiations on power-sharing between the Centre and the ‘national areas’ of the Tamils by the Federal party (FP) in the mid-1950s to claim ‘separate historical past’ of the Tamils that the FP claimed. After several unsuccessful attempts in 1957, 1960 and 1964-65, a second tier of government was adopted by the introduction of District Councils in 1981 as a result of negotiations between the United National Party (UNP) government and the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), the successor of the FP.

After the riots in 1983, the TULF and the Indian government insisted in abandoning the District Council system in order to bring a larger administrative system, the provincial councils in 1987. The Provincial Council system was adopted and incorporated as the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution of 1978 as a result of pressure from the Indian government. The provincial councils were modelled on the power of the states of the Indian Union, yet preserved the Sri Lankan unitary system.

Wrong Principle

The principle of territoriality as a type of ‘partitioned decisionmaking’ in sharing power was not the best principle to divide the centre and the local in Sri Lanka at least for the following reasons:

Territoriality is only a proxy for ethnic Tamils, yet extends its effects to other ethnic groups residing in the Northern and the Eastern provinces. According to 2001 (provisional) census of the Department of Census and Statistics, 70.7 percent of Indian Tamils, 16.9 percent of Muslims (Moor), 11.2 percent of Sinhalese residing in the Northern and the Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka (Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mulathivu, Killinochchi, Batticaloa, Amapara and Trincomalee Districts) with 1.2 percent of other ethnic groups. Hence, it is evident that the principle of territoriality is only a proxy for ethnic Tamils, yet not a fair principle for 29.3 percent of the non-Tamils residing in the Northern and the Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka.

Territorial power sharing receives wider opposition from the majority Sinhalese and the Muslims. Especially, majority Sinhalese view devolution of power as the first step in creating separate areas for Tamils in the North and the East.

Furthermore, majority Sinhalese think that the territorial power sharing mechanism will threaten the territorial integrity of the state. Even today, the centre is reluctant to release land and the police powers to the provincial councils.

Hence, it is practically impossible to reach a consensus between different ethnic groups even to fully implement the 13th amendment to the constitution. Therefore, it is hard to assume that the principle of territoriality will deliver a long lasting solution to the Ethnic issue in Sri Lanka.

Finally, other appropriate principles exist in addressing power sharing issues in Sri Lanka in addition to ‘territorial power sharing’ principle. Therefore, it is a pity that the architectures of Sri Lankan power sharing models did not even try to test other principles in power sharing and kept blindly believing in the principle of territoriality for decades without questioning its validity in terms of finding a lasting solution to the ethnic issue in the Sri Lanka.

Power Sharing Mechanisms

Different mechanism can be adopted when initiating the transition from civil wars in terms of sharing power. Amongst them are central power sharing, territorial power sharing, military power sharing and economic power sharing mechanisms. The central power sharing mechanism distributes executive political power in the core governing institutions in the central government among different ethnic groups.

As noted previously, the territorial power sharing mechanism decentralises power by sharing power with different geographical areas. The military power sharing mechanism integrates different ethnic groups to the military by changing the ethnic composition of the military. The economic power sharing mechanism tries to address issues related distributive justice as well as issues related to control of economic resources.

Central Power Sharing

According to a recent study by Matthew Hoddie (Texas A&M University) and Caroline Hartzell (Gettysburg College) that examined 38 post civil war peace settlements reached between 1945 and 1998, 30 out of 38 peace agreements, or 79 percent of the total, included provisions for ‘central’ power sharing.

The ‘central power sharing’ mechanism shares or divides political power in the central government among ethnic groups in at least three different ways. First, by adopting the principle of electoral proportional representation (PR system) or similar system. So, different ethnic groups can elect their representative to the legislature of the central government.

Second, different ethnic groups will agree to proportionally allocate decision and policy making power to positions in courts, commissions, the civil and foreign services, and other corresponding offices.

Third, different ethnic groups are guaranteed that in the executive of the national government the power will be shared proportionately when giving ministerial, sub-ministerial, and cabinet positions.

Appropriate Mechanisms

Despite its forceful adaptation in the past, the territorial power sharing mechanism has proved futile in reaching consensus amongst different ethnic groups in Sri Lanka in finding a sustainable solution.

However, in contrast to the territorial mechanism, central power sharing mechanism will either neutralise or at least reduce the majority Sinhalese opposition to share power with minorities as the mechanism will not threaten the territorial integrity of the state and as such will reduce the fear of secession.

Furthermore, central power sharing mechanism will guarantee rights and powers of all ethnic groups according to the principle of proportionality. Moreover, the mechanism has been more common (79 percent) in civil war settlements than other types of power sharing mechanisms, namely territorial, military and economic power sharing mechanisms, thus, proven to be successful.

Therefore, central power sharing mechanism is more appropriate and less controversial than the already adopted territorial power sharing mechanism in Sri Lanka. However, the central power sharing mechanism should be coupled with a partitioned decisionmaking power sharing principle that extends its jurisdiction only to members of a particular ethnic group and not to all residents within the territory.

The principle is called Ethnocorporatism that creates such institutions as communal legislative chambers that adopt separate policies for their respective ethnic groups or communal bureaucratic administrations, such as separate school systems for different ethnic groups residing in the same District or Province. Therefore, the principle will be welcomed by Sinhalese, Muslims, Indian Tamils and others residing in the other areas of the country as well.

The principle of Ethnocorporatism was successfully adopted even in the Ottoman Empire to grant autonomy to non-Muslim communities. Unlike the principle of territorial power sharing, Ethnocorporatism will not threaten the territorial integrity of a country. Moreover, the military and economic power sharing mechanisms also can come into play with central power sharing mechanism and Ethnocorporatism in finding an appropriate solution in sharing power between the centre and different ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.

The way forward

Hence, the time has come to question the traditional wisdom that promotes the principle of ‘territorial’ power sharing in finding a sustainable solution to the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka. However, the President Maithripala Sirisena’s government needs to initiate a much wider discourse to evaluate all the available power sharing principles and mechanisms before succumb to group pressures that promote territorial autonomy for the Tamils residing in North-Eastern Sri Lanka.

*Dinesh D. Dodamgoda, a Fulbright scholar and a lawyer, has a M.Sc. degree from the British Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham (Cranfield University) on Defence Management and Global Security. He was also an MP from 1995-2000

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Latest comments

  • 12
    10

    Dinesh D. Dodamgoda,

    You are beating the Sinhala Buddhist majoritarian band like others of his kind ad nauseum:

    Even Modi’s advice might fall on deaf ears if this kind kind of thinking persists in the minds of the so-called Sinhala intellectuals like this one and the arch racist Dayan.

    If the Sinhalese politicians in power go on beating this same old out-dated band, the only way out is for the UN to investigate the accusation by Justice Wigneshwaran of historical genocide of Tamils by the Sri Lankan state.

    Thereafter, the UN can take appropriate action as they did in East Timor, Kosovo, and other similar situations in the recent past.

    • 7
      4

      Dinesh D. Dodamgoda,

      “Hence, the time has come to question the traditional wisdom that promotes the principle of ‘territorial’ power sharing in finding a sustainable solution to the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka. However, the President Maithripala Sirisena’s government needs to initiate a much wider discourse to evaluate all the available power sharing principles and mechanisms before succumb to group pressures that promote territorial autonomy for the Tamils residing in North-Eastern Sri Lanka.”

      So do you recommend a referendum so the Sinhala Buddhist majority can vote against any autonomy to Tamils?

      Or, since the Tamils have suffered genocide in the hands of Sinhala rulers, would you also be fair to recommend the UN to conduct a referendum among Tamils as to how they want to be ruled?

      Is this what you learned democracy is about in the UK?

      Sinhalese like you think that democracy is the hegemony of the majority ethnic community steam rolling everybody else under their rule.

      • 1
        1

        So what Ayathuray Rajasingam has written earlier about the 13th Amendment is going to be come a reality. No way it has to be implemented which will become unity among the communities.

  • 10
    9

    13 A or 13 A Plus might not be the perfect solution. But that is the LAW and part of the constitution for the past 27 years.

    Therefore, for Christ sake without debating it every day, just implement the damn law.

    Then everybody can debate it to improve the devolution.

    Which part of this the Sinhala Buddhist, and some racist chauvinist politicians don’t get it?

    Donald Gnanakone
    Tamils For Justice
    Founder.

    • 8
      8

      Dear Donald J Gnanakone,

      The 13A was enacted with a Gun held to the head.
      It was not subjected to discussion by the Sri Lankan Citizens.
      It was subject to the terms of a Peace accord with India.
      India defaulted on that agreement, hence the agreement can be abrogated.

      The 13A was rejected by the Tamil politicians.
      Are they in agreement now?

      Hence even if the other citizens of SL agree to the 13A what is the purpose of implementing something that the Tamils do not agree to?

      The 13A recognises the National Ethnic Ratio (NER).
      The Tax revenue of the govt is in proportion to the NER.
      The Public debt is in proportion to the NER.
      Hence SL’s resources should be shared according to the NER.

      Land has been the CORE issue of the ethnic problem. Everything else is camouflage. It surfaced when the lands opened up by the development of the Gal Oya basin was allocated among Sri Lankans. The Tamil politicians claimed it was their Land of Historic Habitation and thus wanted Non Tamils kept out.

      This could not have happened if the Tamil Politico’s respected the principle of the National Ethnic Ratio.

      The claim of Historic Habitation in the East was false.

      Here is the proof

      The Dutch National Archive gives the following description of a Fort built by them at Elephant Pass and the reason for building it. (http://www.atlasofmutualheritage.nl/en/location/?id=813)

      Elephant Pass

      During the 17th century the Company was engaged in a war of attrition with the king of Kandy, who had close ties with Ceylon’s Buddhist population. There was a narrow tongue of land at Elephant Pass a fort was built to guard the border with the king’s territory. Elephants captured on Ceylon were herded past here to Jaffna to be sold in India, hence the name Elephant Pass.

      (I would suggest the reader to examine the area of Elephant Pass on Google Earth to obtain a clear idea of the geography)

      It dates back to the 17th Century and hence shows the border BEFORE the British arrived here and hence BEFORE the Northern and Eastern Provinces were BORN.

      Elephant Pass is an isthmus that joins Peninsular Jaffna with the SL Mainland. Thus when the Kandian Kingdom of the Sinhalese extends to Elephant Pass the WHOLE of the Eastern Seaboard becomes EXCLUDED from the Historic Jaffna Kingdom.

      Since the borders of the Jaffna Kingdom did not change during Portuguese and Dutch rule, there is continuity of the border from the last king of the Tamil Kingdom, Cankili II to that of the Dutch.

      Hence what the Dutch says about the Border, reaches back to the point of time when Cankili II reigned over the Tamil Kingdom and was defeated by the Portuguese.

      Thus Cankili II’s Tamil Kingdom also met the Territory of the Kandyan Kingdom at Elephant Pass. It remained TOTALLY to the NORTH of Elephant Pass on the Eastern Seaboard. To the South of Elephant Pass along the Eastern Seaboard, was the Sinhala Kingdom of Kandy.

      Note: Cankili II was at peace with the Kandyan King is seen from the fact that the Kandyan King’s Elephants had unhindered passage through Jaffna on their way for sale in India.

      Here is a quote from Dr Pradeep Jeganathan, a Tamil intellectual of repute.

      “Not every legitimate ruler of southern Lanka was a Buddhist in early modern times. Yet also it is not historically accurate to say that the Kings of Jaffna ruled the east, certainly even a cursory glance at Dutch records and the doings of Rajasinha the 2nd will tell you, that the Kings of the Kanda Uda Pas Rate, (the five countries on top of the mountains) were also the overlords of Batticoloa and Trincomalee”.

      Well Donald Gnanakone, what do you as a Tamil Crusader, has to say?

      Kind Regards,
      OTC

      • 3
        4

        The ‘Tamil Aspirations’ have ALWAYS been about land. The rest is bling.

        • 3
          4

          Yes, when you clear away the garbage the CORE issue is Land.

      • 2
        2

        There is no question of abrogating 13A. It is part of the law and has been so for the past 28 years. If at all it has to be enhanced as promised by none other than MR to India and the Western powers. Even he couldn’t abrogate it. So, who will? Please don’t write some nonsense!

        Sengodan. M

        • 2
          1

          Dear Sengodan. M,

          Read my comment again.

          I said it “can” be, as the Indian govt defaulted on the agreement. That is how agreements work.

          Whether it gets enhanced or degraded depends on the Tamils. Things like the Genocide resolution will strengthen MR’s hand and weaken MS. Some more like that will see MR back in power. The forces MR will let loose to get back to power may not be within MR’s capacity to control later.

          If Tamils insist that the 13A is not a solution then MR will have every excuse to rescind 13A.

          Kind Regards,
          OTC

      • 3
        2

        Off the butt,

        Do you think Donald J Gnanakone will respond to an undesirable Buffoon like you who has cut and pasted some bull crap? All what you have written is nothing but crap, not relevant to the above discussion.

        • 3
          4

          Dear Kumar,

          The Jack in the Box is back.

          Every time you see your torch bearers in difficulty the imbecile jumps up like a jack in the box.

          It does not matter to me whether Mr Donald J Gnanakone decides to respond or not, because my comment has been read by many others with intellect.

          Mr Donald J Gnanakone either has a counter or he does not have one. If he does reply I will either agree or disagree depending on what he writes. If he does not reply it will be construed as a surrender to an argument that has him beat.

          I can see you are clueless about the 13A.

          Kind Regards,
          OTC

          • 3
            1

            “If he does not reply it will be construed as a surrender to an argument that has him beat.”

            surrender to an argument that has him beat? To a buffoon?
            Ha,ha,ha…LOL

            This is the best joke ever…

            There is also something called ignoring a buffoon and that is what most intellects do…

            • 1
              1

              Kumar,

              It is not only separatists like you and Gnanakoon who read this web site. You are a fool to think so.

              They can see that both you and Gnanakoon are groping like blind men as both cannot muster a single fact to contest what I wrote. You have been struck so hard that you are drooling.

              Who the Morons are, is plain to see.

              Kind Regards,
              OTC

      • 1
        1

        1. I did not see it as I have plenty of other things to do.

        2. I am not a public servant.

        3. you buggers are cowards who are hiding behind skirts and write rubbish. Even now I did not read most of it, and I only saw the 13 A. Go and find out why the Tamils For Justice was found and what we have done so far.

        That was our crusade, and not every “shit” and shitty things that happens.

        That has to be asked and answered by the TGTE, TAG, GTF, BTF, CTC TAPI, USTPAC and others. I am not obligated in any way, especially to anonymous writers and Bayagullahs.

        I hope you get it.
        I will pick and chose the subjects and I have lkimited time and I also travel within and outside SL for many things and on different subjects/interest.

        Gnanakone
        Tamils For Justice
        Founder.

        • 1
          1

          Dear Donald J Gnanakone,
          Tamils for Justice, Founder,

          Re “I did not see it as I have plenty of other things to do”

          You posted your comment on March 14, 2015 at 3:51 pm.
          I replied you at 7:30 pm on the same day less than 5 hours later.

          Don’t you check back for a response? Or is it a habit of yours to unload your shit and then run away without taking responsibility for what you write?

          You did not respond on 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th and posted a reply on 18th at 6:07 pm and followed it up 2 minutes later with another one.

          This article was abandoned by all who were discussing here on the 16th and you waited till the 18th (until you felt safe) and even then avoided the questions raised in mine.

          You have written about anonymity. Only a fool checkmated by the opposing arguments will try to attack the messenger.

          You may be writing today as Gnanakoon and a couple of minutes later as “Kumar” and yet a few minutes later as someone else with a foreign name such as “Scott”, “Brown”, “Cruise”, “Shinzō”, “Hollande” or “Abdul Razak”. You can change your ethnicity in a second.

          You are a fool to harp on the name used, on an Internet discussion board that essentially remains anonymous, instead of focusing on the content.

          I use Off the Cuff to convey it is a pseudonym but as I have shown you here, I can use M. N. I. N. Perera or anything I want and still remain anonymous as M.N.I.N. Perera is not my name. That would be dishonest and I choose honesty instead.

          Re “Go and find out why the Tamils For Justice was found and what we have done so far”

          The name of your organisation conveys that you stand for “Justice”.

          You don’t call it “Justice for Tamils” but “Tamils for Justice”. There is a world of a difference between the two.

          Hence I have questioned you about the “JUSTICE” that you claim to be a crusader of.

          I am not interested in whether you are a Public Servant or Man Servant.

          I hope you got it.

          Kind Regards,
          OTC

      • 0
        1

        Anonymous Bayagullahs,’

        Go ask the politicians and diaspora groups.
        I am not a politician contesting to get to some office.

        Gnanakone
        Tamils For Justice.

    • 4
      3

      Of course it is part of the law and the NPC elections were held in 2013..which part of it dont you understand?

      When NPC elections were held everyone in SL hoped it would succeed, including Sinhala people. But what did NPC elected people do other than acting against the country?

  • 10
    1

    About Javi,

    Apologies not related to the article.

    About Javi I take bit of time to write some stuff about infamous “javi” formerly known as Kaliman or Mud head. Javi is like a stray dog,(only a analogy) he/she/??? (as I am not aware of the sex) wonders around looking for scrap where ever it find some scrap it sniff and shits there. It has no objective in it’s sorry life.

    If u look at most of the javi (sa pe pe) posts the post are hooked on to someone else post write some crap again whats written is also bit’s and pieces which does not give any meaning. Best part is what ever javi (pe) writes 100% assured he will get minimum of 5 vote ups. Almost most of the time no vote down which I can explain clearly as no one bothers to read the garbage so no vote downs. That leaves the question as to who is voting up ? well that is not hard to figure out.

    In most cases Javi will attack a person on one comment several times as he gets his/her/??? fits he has to punch some words.

    What I read from this is a person who is unable to comprehend life’s challenges. If Javi (pe) has the guts to take positive criticism, this is what I have to say.

    Now I put down some of Javi (pe) lines, below was collected in few minutes. what I see is a troubled child who grew up without parents, family and friends. Quotes from javi (pe)

    “The max goo is not on toilet seat but keyboard”
    “everybody fly’s and everyone plays football”
    “How slime flies” “Buro Butt Pena Kiyanna” .
    “Buddha is a social engineering farce”
    Zen Buddhist would second my scientific statement
    BBS drove the shit in your mothers place
    I eat you on Fridays as a convert
    Paul Bule Passe Nool what is your rotton rabutan stuck too
    deeheepuuuu, pin paaaade
    all men are mad or they should be arty farty
    balu senator
    Go eat pig sh*t little big Sh*t.

    I took time to highlight few points lets see if javi can think rationally for a moment. If not I would urge CT to ban stray dogs from posting in CT. I also know best of Javi will be seen after this whether it’s for good or worst. Let hope it’s good. What I can see is Javi (pe) likes shit a lot.

    Everyone should be given a chance, but I am pessimistic. Let see how it goes. Its interesting.

    • 5
      0

      Well done Afzal. Ct’s monitoring of posts is not very good.

    • 3
      0

      Quite. The CT often reminds us that the comments need to be in English.

  • 1
    6

    I think the Tamils and Sinhalese should negotiate in terms of owning AirSpace. the Tamils should own the atmospheric layer so that Dinesh could remain in space because at lower levels his brain when introduced to oxygen may start working.

    any fool knows that power is related to the capacity to regulate territory except in space as argued by this space man.

  • 4
    3

    “” According to 2001 (provisional) census of the Department of Census and Statistics, 70.7 percent of Indian Tamils, 16.9 percent of Muslims (Moor), 11.2 percent of Sinhalese residing in the Northern and the Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka (Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mulathivu, Killinochchi, Batticaloa, Amapara and Trincomalee Districts) with 1.2 percent of other ethnic groups.”””

    It is very interesting to note the author is categorising all Tamils as Indian Tamils. What a Sinhala brain?

  • 9
    4

    Thiru, on what basis you claim the concept is “out-dated”?

    Simply because it’s coming from a Sinhalese scholar what right should you have to brand it as “racist”?
    It’s quite evident you are voicing rather a long defeated unsuccessful blood thirst mindset!

    Regardless new or old, Sinhalese or non-Sinhalese what we need is the right solution, even if it comes from the most ancient quoran/veda/bible or mahawamsa let be so, if it’s the best possible solution to the country’s best interest!

    Being racist will only make you a looser, being open to the enormous opportunities available will make us all winners.
    We really need to see more of these articles from young Lankan intellectuals like you Mr Dodamgoda, to be winners as a nation!

    Farzana

  • 5
    1

    I feel Tamil people ask 13 or 13 A due to long standing sensitive problems they are facing, I feel our people may be reluctant anticipating complicated situations in the practical implementation of it, So if we all could get together and try to improve the situation of Tamils with genuine concern a more practical approach could be found to the problem with give and take policy.

    • 1
      0

      The 13th amendment to the constitution was too little and too late and that too remains un-implemented in full. Until recently it was rejected by the Tamils because it does not fully address the Tamil issues.

      • 1
        2

        ” Until recently it was rejected by the Tamils”

        When did they agree?

  • 5
    2

    We can argue for ever on the best devolution but that would serve only to delay justice.

    The 13th amendment is law. It is the only form of devolution that is in the immediate realm of possibility now. Any discussion can come after the law is implemented. It is an agreement India promised Tamils in exchange for disarming and India must insist on it

    • 6
      2

      Actually, it was forced on Sri Lanka at gunpoint as you very well know. Oh okay at dahl-bombing point.

    • 5
      2

      Dear Abe,

      You are right but unfortunately India did not disarm the LTTE who were given a reprieve by India’s Parippu Drop in 1987. Because of that it took 22 more years. The SL citizens paid an unmeasurable price for that folly.

      The 13A was born with a Gun held at SL.
      Tamil Politicians have rejected it.
      If the will of the SL Citizens is tested, they too will reject it.

      In such a situation is it not another folly to implement it?

      Note; Personally I support a modified form of the 13A.

      Kind Regards,
      OTC

    • 2
      1

      ” The 13th amendment is law “.

      So are a lot of other things, which the ‘government’, unelected by the people, is in great haste to change. The 13th Amendment was imposed on Sri Lanka at the point of a gun, and at the time was not acceptable even to the Tamils. It should NOT be in the Statute books, and is about the only legal instrument that needs to change.

  • 4
    1

    The time has come now to take a hard look at the 13A and the functioning of the Provincial Council System. This system has functioned for more than two decades and the time is ripe now for a reappraisal. This system has been maintained at colossal costs without any corresponding benefits. There is no need to continue this white elephant any more. Devolution of power is necessary but not on the basis of traditional homeland or ethnic composition. Sri Lanka is a small country, almost the size of a smallest State in India and cannot afford to have the luxury of having a plethora of devolved units. For the purposes of sharing power, the country can be divided into four or five Zones and the main aims of the devolution of power should not be to create power bases for some politicians but to bring about balanced socio economic development in all the Zones, to create job opportunities, to encourage multi ethnic participation in running the administration of the Zones and to promote reconciliation among all communities. The structure of the Zonal government, composition of the areas under each Zone, powers to be devolved and other related matters have to be worked out by a panel of competent people.

    • 2
      5

      13A is being implemented well in rest of SL. I know SLMC fellows will be the first to cry if this was to be removed. The only place with the issue is in NPC.

      The problem is not in 13A but with the people in NPC. If a tamil party which is not like TNA, could hold the power of NPC then a lot of things will be different. After all TNA is made up of LTTE proxies. No one should forget Sampandan was an LTTE spokesperson at the end of 2001-02 period.

      There will be less friction among gover and NPC with a non TNA party in power.
      And people will get the benefit.

      And finally I am becoming a fan of WIggie. I think we should look into SL history and solve this issue for forever.

      • 3
        2

        such,

        Please go for long hike to get your brain in order. 13th A has never been implemented fully and stop writing fibs on the public forums.

        • 1
          1

          BI,

          He did not say Fully.

          What are the powers the NPC does not have but has been given to the other 8 PCs?

          • 2
            2

            OTC

            Bearing in mind that the 13th A came into being because of the Indo-Lanka accord primarily to resolve the Tamil question. Not withstanding that the Tamils concurrence to was not sought, can you confirm to this forum that it has been fully implemented?

            I do not give toss about what is afoot in the other provinces. The 13th A was enacted to resolve the Tamil issue is it not?

            • 2
              3

              Dear BI,

              Re “can you confirm to this forum that it has been fully implemented?”

              Please re read what I have stated in my comment to you.

              I pointed out an error on your part. Sach has not stated anywhere in his post about “FULLY” implementing the 13A. He said it was being “WELL” implemented in the other provinces. There is a world of a difference between the two.

              What Sach pointed out is that there is no difference in the level of implementation between the NPC and the rest of SL but it was only the NPC that was grumbling.

              Hence you have misunderstood the whole thing. Neither Sach nor I claimed that the 13A was FULLY implemented.

              Re “I do not give toss about what is afoot in the other provinces. The 13th A was enacted to resolve the Tamil issue is it not?”

              Of course we see that you don’t give a toss about the rest but first you should have a grasp of the 13A.

              The 13A was part of a peace accord signed under threat of armed might of India, funnily to put an end to a terrorist group that was trained and armed by India on Indian soil.

              India tried to encroach into SL’s territorial waters to free Prabahkaran and after being turned back by the SL Navy sent their war planes to drop Parippu bombs on Jaffna to free Prabahkaran and the LTTE who faced imminent defeat and capture by the SL Forces in 1987.

              India’s failure cost Lanka, hundreds of thousands of her citizens dead, countless more who have lost eyes and limbs, countless billions of infrastructure destroyed, a protracted 22 more years of terrorism and now an attempt to soil her reputation worldwide by the supporters and financiers of the terrorists.

              The 13A was enacted under those circumstances because India Underwrote the disarming of the Terrorists.

              SL kept their part of the accord but India failed to uphold their end. Hence the Peace accord had been defaulted by India and should have been abrogated by Lanka.

              Thus though you don’t give a TOSS about the rest of SL, we Sri Lankans who underwent the 30 year TERROR don’t want anything that will even remotely allow a repeat performance.

              Kind Regards,
              OTC

              • 0
                0

                OTC,
                Thanks for clearing that out to BI. When arrogance and stupidity are in a high degree in a person, well you know it is difficult…

            • 0
              0

              But we dont trust you. All the actions of your and your NPCs’ have proven you guys cannot be trusted. Yes we dont trust you and there wont be more power.

              Actually given the traitor who Wiggie is a proper SL gover would have dissolved NPC long back.

        • 0
          0

          How I wish your brain was in order!

          Where did I say fully idiot? I said it is practiced without any issue in rest of SL with no fighting between PC and gover

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    Dinesh Dodamgoda:

    13th Amendment is just the start. We have a long way to go before we reach parity and fogive ( but cant forget what you did to us) and move on as two seperate people with distict identity.

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    Isn’t this the same guy, who alleged to have a hand in Tissa Attanayake’s faking Mathree and Ranil’s signature supposed TNA secret deal that went behind the doors during the recent presidential campaign. He too suppose to be in the jail for aiding and abetting if not for major involvement. Can we expect a pure political, academic, honest and logical argument coming from schematic person who was instrumental in making such a shameless effort to provoke, to play communal politics and encourage disharmony within two ethnic groups just for pure political and personal gains. These people write in their pay masters papers to hoodwink the unsuspecting readership. And it’s pathetic they get same opportunity to spout their venom, misleading articles at so called alternative places people suppose to find alternative views. May be CT should include their affiliations(not only educational qualifications, former and present government affiliations) so that the reader can recognize their bias the minute they see their affiliation without having to read whole bull they write thinking this is an honest writer who wants to share an opinion rather than propaganda of vested parties. What we have been recently is the people with good academic credentials using it as a weapon to scaremonger the generally open minded public so that they can get the vote for their puppet masters so that they can once more enjoy the good perks once they were entitled to. It is a shame.

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      1. Any evidence? The writer alleged to have faked the TA’s doc?
      2. Don’t you think you need to grow up if you really need to see the bigger picture as you are obviously based on assumptions?
      3. If the writer’s behind such a shameless doc, why the hell he’s spared when TA was jailed?
      4. Guess you have a personal grudge against the writer!
      5. However, I quite like the way he’s developed and presented this paper. If you object, then please be constructive so we all can gain and share knowledge. We are not here to sling mud like petty politicians, he sounds academic as per his writing and petty grudges wouldn’t hinder the spark. Would like to read his next article soon!

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      Pran,

      Don’t kill the Messanger. Dinesh D. Dodamgoda’s article is relatively objective. It doesn’t matter whether we agree with him or not. He proposes a new concept. Good, this is the first time I saw one challenges the 13A by proposing another power sharing option. However, you tried to throw mud at him than evaluating the facts in the article.

      I do not know whether it is possible to go back to a ‘central’ power sharing system as Dodamgoda proposes. But, it is a thought provoking article. He is not against power sharing. He states that 13A is not practical as there is no consensus an that is true.

      As Pran suggests, if Dodamgoda has committed a wrong or a crime, then why the MY3 Palanaya hasn’t open up a Lawsuit against him? Don’t comment based on assumptions. His article sounds academically convincing.

      As some commentators wrote, 13 A was introduced by force. So, no point arguing 13 A’s benefits. In a democracy people should be heard before implementing changes to the system.

      Finally, if you cannot tolerate Dodamgoda’s views, how could you ask Sinhalese to tolerate Tamils or the 13A that was forced on SL? Pran, pl practice what you preach.

      Your wrote your comment because you are jealous or you are personally against Dodamgoda. Don’t show your nudity in public Pran.

      Sara

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    Pran,

    Don’t kill the Messanger. Dinesh D. Dodamgoda’s article is relatively objective. It doesn’t matter whether we agree with him or not. He proposes a new concept. Good, this is the first time I saw one challenges the 13A by proposing another power sharing option. However, you tried to throw mud at him than evaluating the facts in the article.

    I do not know whether it is possible to go back to a ‘central’ power sharing system as Dodamgoda proposes. But, it is a thought provoking article. He is not against power sharing. He states that 13A is not practical as there is no consensus an that is true.

    As Pran suggests, if Dodamgoda has committed a wrong or a crime, then why the MY3 Palanaya hasn’t open up a Lawsuit against him? Don’t comment based on assumptions. His article sounds academically convincing.

    As some commentators wrote, 13 A was introduced by force. So, no point arguing 13 A’s benefits. In a democracy people should be heard before implementing changes to the system.

    Finally, if you cannot tolerate Dodamgoda’s views, how could you ask Sinhalese to tolerate Tamils or the 13A that was forced on SL? Pran, pl practice what you preach.

    Your wrote your comment because you are jealous or you are personally against Dodamgoda. Don’t show your nudity in public Pran.

    Sara

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    I saw these comments late in the day almost a year after. OTC says the Jaffna Kingdom was confined to the Jaffna peninsula and the Kandyan King exported elephants through Elephant Pass. The fact of the matter is Kandyan Kingdom lasted from 1469 – 1815. The Jaffna Kingdom lasted from 1215 – 1624. Thus there was an overlap of only 150 years. The period OTC refers is after the conquest of Jaffna Kingdom by Portuguese in 1619. The Portuguese, Dutch and the British ruled Northern and Eastern province as one unit until 1833. In 1833 the British amalgamated the Northeast with the rest of the island for administrative convenience. There was a time Ceylon was ruled by the British governor staioned in Madras. OTC likes to refer to history, but what does history says about the Jaffna Kingdom? As Sinhala power declined the Tamils moved southwards to exact tribute from the southwest and central regions. By the middle of the fourteenth century the Jaffna Kingdom had effective control over the northwest coast up to Puttalam. After an invasion in 1353, part of four Korales came under Tamil rule and thereafter, over the next two decades they probed into the Matale district and naval forces were dispatched to the west coast as far south as Panadura. The Jaffna Kingdom was poised for the establishment of Thamil supremacy over Srilanka, and were foiled in this primarily because it was soon embroiled with the powerful Vijayanagar empire in a grim struggle against the latter’s expansionist ambitions across Palk straits. For the information of OTC the Sinhalese population in the eastern province was only 5,947 (4.6%) while the Tamil population was 75.318 in 1881. The eastern province was ruled by Tamil Chieftains called Vanniyars who more or less were independent rulers. When Ponnambalam Arunachalam was denied nomination to contest Colombo in 1921, the Sinhalese leaders told him to go and contest from North or East. Finally, OTC and his ilk should thank not the star but the British for giving Northeast on a platter to the Sinhalese in 1833!

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