Sumanthiran's rejection of 13th Amendment:

MPs expose TNA's double standard

by our Lobby Correspondent

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera

Minister Faizer Musthapha

Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena

Sajin De Vass Gunawardena

A cross section of Ministers and Deputy Ministers said, TNA Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran in principle had accepted the 13th Amendment which has not satisfied the aspirations of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim Communities. But Government parliamentarians said the TNA was not united in finding a solution to the problems faced by the Tamil people as different contradictory views are expressed by the TNA Leader and its MPs from time to time.

Sumanthiran who joined the second reading of the Budget debate in Parliament on November 09 described the 13th Amendment. “as being meaningless and something which had been continuously rejected by his party.

UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin De Vass Gunawardena had questioned Sumanthiran’s stance and the TNA’s stance on the 13th Amendment. But Sumanthiran had interrupted Gunawardena.

MP Gunawardena had told Parliament that he would make a statement on Sumanthiran’s views expressed on November 9 and requested Sumanthiran to be present in Parliament on November 17. When he questioned the TNA MP’s double standards and raised questions on his stance during the second reading of the Budget 2013 on November 17 , Sumanthiran was not present in the Chamber. Though Sumanthiran was in the Parliament Lobby, he had evaded facing Vass Gunawardena and answering questions on the TNA’s stance.

MP Vass Gunawardena who participated in the second reading of the budget on November 17 told Parliament that the TNA has not been united in finding a solution to the aspirations of the Tamils as different views are expressed by TNA MPs from time to time. “Sumanthiran tells one thing and his Leader R. Sampanthan tells another. Until they are united, it will be difficult to find a solution to the problems of the people in the North and the East,” he said.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said Sumanthiran was a brilliant lawyer. But he is alien to the requirements and practicalities at ground level. For a person who is looking at it technically he may see various discrepancies. We don’t say the 13th Amendment is perfect. It is something that has been forcibly introduced. As we know that draft has also not been formulated here.

There are certain issues. We as Government member feel there will have to be amendments or adjustments to the 13th Amendment so that the people will enjoy the expectations of the legislature in the best possible way. That is why the Government maintains the opinion that there has to be some change which is useful to the country. But if somebody says it is of no use by looking at it only technically, I don’t know how it works. Anyway I believe in time to come, Sumanthiran will realize the ground reality as well. I hope he is capable enough to learn the ground realities as fast as possible.

Technology and Research Deputy Minister Faizer Musthapha said if the 13th Amendment does not satisfy the aspirations of the Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil communities, whatever the reasons Sumanthiran has given may differ, I am happy that on principle he is agreeable that the 13th Amendment is meaningless. I have also aired my views on similar lines. TNA is a political party which is talking about 13, 13 plus and beyond that. Today Sumanthiran to the 13th Amendment is meaningless and his party rejects it, even though his reasons may differ, he agrees with us that the 13th Amendment has not satisfied the aspirations of our people. I think this is something which is an agreement with most of us who have aired the same view.

I am one of the few of the minorities who openly said that 13th Amendment is a white elephant. Whatever the reasons, I am happy that he is looking at it in the same manner that we are looking.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena recalled how TNA leader R. Sampanthan wanted the 13th Amendment “thrown in the dustbin”. At present the TNA is using the 13th Amendment to attack the Government.

Although the 13th Amendment was approved by a two thirds majority in Parliament, it has failed to find a solution to the national problem or address the problems of the Tamil people.

He said if the 13th Amendment is to be repealed, an appropriate mechanism should be put in place that addresses the grievances of the Tamils. If power should be decentralized, it has to be made with the consensus reached among all political parties. Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said TNA Parliamentarians have rejected the 13th Amendment as “meaningless” and “useless” because they persist in pursuing a policy of separation, as against a policy of devolution. MP Sumanthiran’s apparent rejection of the 13th Amendment was based on the views of LTTE sympathizers and the pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora.

This is the result of a sinister agenda to divide the country. If the 13th Amendment is to be replaced, there should be a new mechanism for devolution of power.

The Minister said President Mahinda Rajapaksa once said a scheme of power devolution may be given to the public, and not to terrorists or those who attempt to divide the country under the banner of ‘people’s aspirations. If power should be devolved, it should be done in a manner that would empower the grassroots.

Devolution of power should take place to build a truly integrated country which is devoid of any communal or religious hatred.