Next round of talks between Sri Lankan government and Tamil party crucial

A crucial round of talks between Sri Lanka's major Tamil constituent Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the government is scheduled to be held on three days later this month.
Political sources say the talks will be crucial since the devolving of land powers sill be taken up in the talks to be held on January 17, 18 and 19 in Colombo. The talks will coincide with the official visit of India's External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna in the island. Krishna, who will meet Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the TNA leaders, is expected to discuss the devolution of land and police powers to the Tamil-dominated Northern and Eastern Provinces according to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Sri Lankan government said Tuesday that it is ready to consider its scope provided TNA put forward its proposals at the talks with the government. The government spokesman, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said that though the government is concerned about giving land and Police powers to the provinces it is prepared to discuss the issue and make concessions. The Minister has said the government has serious concerns about devolving absolute Police powers to the provinces. Sri Lanka government denies that it was under any pressure from India to devolve land and police powers to the provinces according to the 13th amendment.