The photo above shows NPP activists ostentatiously swearing that they will work according to the constitution
The supreme law of any country is the Constitution. The 13th Amendment is part of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. The provincial council system comes from the 13th constitutional amendment.
Harini Amarsooriya had recently told the media that NPP agrees with the 13th amendment. JVP’s new trends are good for the party and the country. On the other hand, JVP can win the goodwill of India.
Whether we like it or not, since 1989, the 13th Amendment has become a basic law in Sri Lanka. That is, according to the constitution, the provincial council system should be implemented . Not implementing it is a serious offense.
There is an allegation that the provincial council that, same was forcefully imposed by the India. However, if we don’t like it, we should bring a new amendment and abolish it . There is no point in antagonizing at India.
Further context such scenario , An argument can be made that the Executive and the Legislature have violated the Basic Law through non-implementation 13th .
If Sri Lanka wants the support of the international community including the IMF, it must show that there is a law in the country and that the law is respected. The international community will not help a country that plays with the rule of law.
The best thing citizens should do regarding provincial councils is to refer it to Kalama Sutra. That means self-study instead of accepting it as good or bad because someone said it. For example,
- It should have the characteristics of a federal state because the provincial councils have law-making powers.
- But the unity of the country is preserved because the executive can dissolve the provincial councils at any time.
Citizens of this country should study themselves and take a decision about provincial councils. Just because Ranil, Sarath Weerasekera, Anuradha Yahampath or Gevidu say it should not be accepted as good or bad.
