Daily Current Affairs : 25-July-2023
The 13th Amendment, an outcome of the Indo-Lanka Accord signed in 1987, has been a topic of contention in Sri Lanka’s political landscape. Despite India’s repeated requests to meet Tamil aspirations by implementing the 13th Amendment, Sri Lanka’s ruling party has rejected the prospect, claiming that the President lacked the mandate for it. This essay explores the significance of the 13th Amendment, the reasons behind its contentious nature, and India’s stance on the matter.
Understanding the 13th Amendment
The Indo-Lanka Accord of July 1987 aimed to address Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict and establish provincial governments across the country. The key provisions of the 13th Amendment were:
- Provincial Governments: The Amendment sought to set up provincial governments, enabling decentralization of power and governance.
- Language Equality: It made Tamil an official language and designated English as a link language, promoting language equality.
- Right to Self-Determination: The Amendment aimed to address Tamil aspirations for self-determination by granting the right to self-governance to all nine provinces, including the Sinhala majority regions.
Contentious Nature of the 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment faced opposition from various quarters, making its implementation challenging:
- Baggage from Civil War Years: Both Sinhala nationalist parties and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) strongly opposed the Amendment. Sinhala nationalists viewed it as an excessive sharing of power, while the LTTE deemed it insufficient to meet Tamil aspirations.
- Perception of Indian Intervention: The Accord and the subsequent legislation were seen by some sections of the Sinhala polity as an imposition by India, raising concerns about perceived Indian hegemonic influence.
- Insufficient for Tamil Aspirations: The Tamil polity, particularly the dominant nationalist faction, found the 13th Amendment lacking in its scope and substance, believing it did not adequately address Tamil grievances.
- Differing Views within Tamil Community: While some, like the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), considered it a starting point for further progress, others remained dissatisfied, leading to divisions within the Tamil community.
India’s Stance on the 13th Amendment
India has consistently supported stability and prosperity in Sri Lanka, and its position on the 13th Amendment is as follows:
- Addressing Tamil Aspirations: India has urged Sri Lanka to take necessary steps to address the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms and human rights for all citizens.
- A Path to Reconciliation: India considers the full implementation of the 13th Amendment crucial for achieving reconciliation with the minority Tamil community, believing it could pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious society.
Important Points:
- The 13th Amendment is an outcome of the Indo-Lanka Accord of July 1987, aimed at resolving Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict by establishing provincial governments and granting language equality and the right to self-determination for Tamils.
- Sri Lanka’s ruling party rejected the implementation of the 13th Amendment despite repeated requests from India, claiming the President lacked the mandate for it.
- The 13th Amendment is contentious due to opposition from both Sinhala nationalist parties and the LTTE, who considered it either too much or too little power-sharing.
- Some within the Tamil community, particularly the dominant nationalist faction, find the 13th Amendment insufficient to meet their aspirations, while others, like the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), see it as a starting point for progress.
- The Accord and the 13th Amendment were perceived by some in the Sinhala polity as an imposition of Indian intervention, raising concerns about Indian hegemonic influence.
- India has consistently supported stability in Sri Lanka and urged the country to address Tamil aspirations, viewing the full implementation of the 13th Amendment as critical for reconciliation with the Tamil community.
Why In News
Despite continuous appeals from India to address Tamil aspirations through the implementation of the 13th Amendment, Sri Lanka’s ruling party adamantly dismissed the possibility, citing that the President lacked the necessary mandate for such action. This stance further strained diplomatic relations between the two nations and heightened tensions in the region.
MCQs about Challenges of Implementing the 13th Amendment
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What is the primary aim of the 13th Amendment in Sri Lanka?
A. To establish provincial governments and decentralize power.
B. To grant full independence to the Tamil community.
C. To impose Indian influence on Sri Lanka’s political landscape.
D. To prioritize Sinhala language as the official language.
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Why is the 13th Amendment contentious in Sri Lanka?
A. Tamil nationalists consider it insufficient to meet their aspirations.
B. It grants too much power to the Sinhala majority.
C. India opposes its implementation in Sri Lanka.
D. The LTTE sees it as a threat to Tamil interests.
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What were the key provisions of the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord that led to the 13th Amendment?
A. Establishing provincial governments and granting language equality.
B. Providing full autonomy to the Tamil community.
C. Imposing Sinhala as the sole official language.
D. Implementing a military rule in the country.
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