Sri Lanka government to establish a Senate under 13th plus amendment to devolve power

The government of Sri Lanka plans to establish an advisory body to the legislature to formulate reforms to devolve power to the ethnic minorities, mainly to the Tamils and urged the country's major Tamil political party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to support the process. Addressing a media briefing on Thursday the Government Spokesman and Minister of Media & Information Keheliya Rambukwella said
the government expects to establish a Senate representing minority groups and academics as a "viable link between the Central government and the provinces." Explaining the government's initiative, the Minister said the 13th Amendment to the Constitution is already a part of the Constitution since 1987, and the establishment of the Senate, which will act as an advisory body to the legislature, is what meant by the 13+ or 13 and beyond. Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Tuesday said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had informed him that a solution which goes beyond the 13th Amendment would be considered as the political solution. "The President assured me that he stands by his commitment to pursuing the 13th Amendment plus approach," Krishna said after his meeting with President Rajapaksa Tuesday. The 13th plus approach has been communicated to the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's state visit to India, the Minister observed. The Sri Lankan government however, denies that it is under pressure from India to devolve powers according to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The Minister told the media that the government wants to arrive at a consensus on a political solution with all parties represented in the parliament and appointed the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for that purpose. "It (PSC) is where we can arrive at a solution on this issue. That is why the government insists the TNA to nominate their representatives to the PSC," the Minister said. The PSC is expected to recommend constitutional measures that need to address the grievances of the minorities and provide solutions for all people and suggest steps to enhance the unity of people in the country. He explained that any other consensus reached outside the PSC would have to be brought to the parliament for its approval. The Tamil alliance has earlier said that the party would not participate in the PSC as it would be another "time-buying tactic" of the government. The party is yet to name its representatives to the PSC. "If the TNA wants a solution they should come in within the PSC," Rambukwella noted. Referring to the issue of giving land and police powers to the provinces under the 13th Amendment, the Minister said the government has concerns granting full powers but it is prepared to discuss the extent of these powers to be devolved. He pointed out that although the President has the executive powers to take unilateral decisions in this regard, he prefers a solution through consensus of all political parties and the PSC would serve that purpose.