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Manohara, others warn of inherent dangers of 13-A

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2 years ago

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‘That legislation in its entirety is illegal and contrary to the unitary status –Gen Dias

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution portends massive risks and, therefore, those political parties and alliance seeking to woo Tamil speaking voters should be wary of the threat to the country’s unitary status, top constitutional lawyer Manohara de Silva said yesterday.

The President’s Counsel was commenting on Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s recent declaration in Kilinochchi that the 13th Amendment would be implemented.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB), too, have declared their intention to fully implement the 13th Amendment in line with their overall bid to reach consensus with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

Pointing out that discussions on the 13th Amendment often centred on the need to grant land and police powers to the provinces, de Silva said that ancient and historical monuments and records, agriculture, irrigation, education, roads, as well as housing, come within the Provincial Council list.

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is yet to state its position, officially, though about a year ago that party questioned the rationale in the incumbent President declaring his intention to fully implement the 13th Amendment against the backdrop of all previous Presidents having declined to do so.

Political parties shouldn’t, under any circumstance, forget that the concurrent list that included land acquisition, registration of births, renaming of villages, festivals (LTTE commemoration possible), archaeological sites, religious institutions are within the legislative and executive competence of Provincial Councils, the PC said.

When The Island pointed out that the Parliament could intervene to thwart threatening moves on the part of Provincial Councils, the Executive Committee member of the National Joint Committee emphasized that those who reached electoral agreements with the TNA wouldn’t be able to resist the coalition partner.

“Do you really think that the SJB leader, or any other presidential poll candidate, will be allowed, by coalition partners, to override the Provincial Council legislation on the concurrent list,” de Silva asked.

The outspoken lawyer pointed out that former Speaker and Deputy Leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya, in his current capacity as the Chairman of the National Movement of Social Justice (NMSJ) and the UK-headquartered Global Tamil Forum (GTF) have declared their support for the SJB’s position.

De Silva said that close on the heels of parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran, on behalf of the TNA, publicly regretting its decision to boycott the 2005 Presidential Polls, as directed by the LTTE – a contentious move that deprived Ranil Wickremesinghe of certain victory – Premadasa and JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake met the TNA leadership on Monday (10) and Tuesday (11), respectively.

The TNA parliamentary group consists of 10 MPs. In parliament, the TNA group is recognized as Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchchi (ITAK).

De Silva said it would be interesting to see whether President Wickremesinghe, SJB leader Premadasa and JJB leader Dissanayake seek the support of other political parties representing the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The other Tamil parties are the EPDP (two MPs), AITC (two), TMVP, TMTK (one). Of them, the EPDP and TMVP represent the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government.

Retired General Jagath Dias who had been quite critical, recently, of the moves to fully implement the contentious piece of legislation, told The Island that though the right of political parties to engage in negotiations should be respected they couldn’t, under any circumstances, pursue an agenda inimical to national interests.

“There is absolutely no ambiguity. The 13th Amendment, forced on us by India under the Indo-Lanka Accord signed on July 29, 1987, in its entirety is illegal and contrary to our unitary status. That is the truth,” the war veteran said.

Having served the Army for over 35 years, Dias retired in Dec 2015 as the Chief of Staff. During Eelam War IV (August 2006-May 2009), Dias commanded the 57 Division that was tasked to liberate Kilinochchi.

Recalling the circumstances the 13th Amendment had been enacted, just months after India thwarted ‘Operation Liberation’ intended to clear the Jaffna peninsula of the LTTE, the former combat officer said that the piece of legislation should be constitutionally done away with.

Giving into unjust political demands made by the TNA/ITAK and trying to appease its Indian masters should be considered as a treacherous act, the Gajaba Regiment veteran said. Dias regretted that even 15 years after the eradication of separatist terrorism, the Parliament hadn’t taken into consideration post-war ground realities when addressing, what he called, the North East issues.

Both Manohara de Silva and Jagath Dias emphasized that the Eastern Province couldn’t be merged with the Northern Province just to appease those who still harboured separatist sentiments.

The Supreme Court in Oct 2006 declared that the merger of the two provinces, in line with the Indo-Lanka Accord, was defective and invalid.

The President’s Counsel said that the country’s unitary status, that had been preserved at a tremendous, cost couldn’t be abolished. Referring to recent reports of some group distributing leaflets in the North demanding that the Tamil electorate boycott the Presidential Poll, scheduled to be conducted later this year, until the unitary status is done away with, de Silva said those who genuinely value the eradication of the LTTE conventional fighting capacity should take a collective stand as regards the 13th Amendment.


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Let us dispel the roots of greed, hatred, and delusion, and transform our lives into a nobel period that brings peace and serenity – PM

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2026/05/30

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Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her Vesak day message called upon all Sri Lankans to dispel the roots of greed, hatred, and delusion, and transform their lives into a nobel period that brings peace and serenity

The Prime Ministers Vesak day message:

“It is an honor to extend Vesak day felicitations to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which lives are shaped in accordance with the noble teachings preached by  Lord Buddha, and upholding the practice of Dhamma.

Just as the external world is illuminated by lanterns, this Vesak season should also be an opportunity to illuminate our own hearts with compassion, kindness, and wisdom. Let us dispel the roots of greed, hatred, and delusion, and transform our lives into a nobel period that brings peace and serenity.

“abhittharetha kal‍yāṇē” – Let us hasten towards the common good. The theme for this year’s State Vesak festival reflects the social needs of the present time. While eliminating narrow beliefs and mindsets, this Vesak festival should become a source of blessings and strength for us to build a nation dedicated to the common good and radiant with the values of the Dhamma.

Followed by the guidance of the Mahanayake Theros and the All Island Sasanarakshaka Mandalaya, I extend wishes for the State Vesak Festival, jointly organized by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

Through the deep bond that exists between the state and” Buddhism, the progress and prosperity of the country can be achieved through righteous governance. It is essential that we cultivate the patience needed to overcome the economic and social challenges we face as a nation, founded on the noble ideal of “May all beings be well, happy and at peace” where justice is ensured for all regardless of caste, race, or religion.

I respectfully invite all of you to join in celebrating an environmentally conscious and nature-friendly Vesak, walking the Middle Path. Let us move forward together towards a society grounded in principled conduct.

May everyone be blessed with a peaceful and meritorious Vesak!

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Prime Minister and United Nations Resident Coordinator discuss post-Ditwah recovery and humanitarian cooperation

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16 hours ago

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2026/05/30

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka,  Marc-André Franche, at Temple Trees on Friday  (29 May) to discuss post-Cyclone Ditwah recovery efforts and continued humanitarian cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Nations.

Particular attention was drawn to the Humanitarian Priority Plan (HPP), launched in December 2025 to support communities affected by the cyclone. The initiative concluded on 30 April 2026 after providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations across 25 districts through the collective efforts of 81 partner organizations.

The discussions highlighted the Government recognized the substantial international support mobilized through the HPP and noted the importance of sustained collaboration to ensure that recovery gains are maintained.

During the discussion the United Nations delegation formally presented the latest SRI LANKA Cyclone Ditwah Situation Report  to the Prime Minister.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Further embrace the values of Buddhism founded upon non-violence, compassion and boundless loving-kindness towards all living beings – President

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2026/05/30

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his Vesak day message called upon all Sri Lankans to further embrace in their lives the values of Buddhism founded upon non-violence, compassion and boundless loving-kindness towards all living beings.

The full text of the  Presidents message:

The Vesak festival, which commemorates the three pivotal milestones in the life of Lord Buddha: his birth, his attainment of enlightenment, and his passing (Nirvana), is the most sacred celebration for Buddhists across the world. The people of Sri Lanka, heirs to a proud culture enriched by Buddhist heritage, join Buddhists worldwide in devoutly observing this noble occasion.

Buddhism is the greatest philosophical teaching to have conveyed to the entire world a timeless and practical message of peace. The entirety of the Dhamma preached by the Gautama Buddha is founded upon the Four Sublime Virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity.

Furthermore, peace, coexistence and reconciliation constitute the supreme teachings expounded not only by the Buddha but also by all enlightened teachers. Buddhism teaches that, in order to establish peace in the external world, inner spiritual peace within the individual must first be secured. We must recognise that this inward and peaceful approach, as advocated by Buddhism in guiding society towards collective noble objectives, is more relevant today than ever before. I believe that this was also the message brought to Sri Lanka recently by the Vietnamese monk Venerable Pannakara Thero, who undertook a pilgrimage on foot across the country.

Moreover, the celebration of Vesak is not merely a religious observance, but also a magnificent cultural festival that has, for thousands of years, reflected Sri Lankan identity, solidarity and artistic creativity. It is indisputable that the programmes organised alongside Vesak celebrations, giving prominence to acts of religious observance such as almsgiving, the observance of sil, meditation and Dhamma sermons, as well as the devotional offerings and festivities including dansals, Buddhist devotional songs, beautifully crafted lanterns and splendid pandals, greatly contribute towards fostering mutual understanding, reconciliation and coexistence among communities.

Inviting all people to further embrace in their lives the values of Buddhism founded upon non-violence, compassion and boundless loving-kindness towards all living beings, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a blessed Vesak festival in which all hearts may find peace, comfort and serenity through the soothing grace of the Dhamma.

 

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