Mahanayakas want Prez to discuss 13A with them

 Mahanayakas want Prez to discuss 13A with them

The Morning | BY Buddhika Samaraweera 25-08-2023

The Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect stated that it would be best if President Ranil Wickremesinghe would discuss the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution with religious leaders including the Chief Prelates (Mahanayakas) of the main Buddhist sects.

Wickremesinghe, who came to power following the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July last year (2022), pledged that he would fully implement the 13th Amendment, and work to resolve the issues faced by the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Speaking to The Daily Morning on the matter, Asgiri Maha Viharaya Supreme Sangha Council Secretary Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said that they were of the view that the 13th Amendment should not be implemented as it may cause various adverse effects, including communal conflicts. "All former Presidents didn’t implement this, and they must have done so for a fair reason. So, we don’t approve of the implementation of the 13th Amendment. However, as the President has expressed his consent to implement it, he should discuss the matter with all religious leaders, including Chief Prelates."

Wickremesinghe has had several discussions with several parties including Parliamentarians, particularly those representing the Tamil community regarding the 13th Amendment. His preparation has, however, seen opposition from several parties including the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna itself, which recently stated that he (Wickremesinghe) did not have a moral right to implement the 13th Amendment, as he is enjoying power based on the mandate given by the people to Rajapaksa.

In February this year, the Chief Prelates of the main Buddhist Sects including Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, Makulewe Wimala Thera, and late Dodampahala Chandrasiri Thera had, in a letter addressed to the President, requested him not to implement the 13th Amendment, claiming that the granting of Police and land powers may lead to separatism.

On 29 July 1987, the Indo-Lanka Accord was signed between the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and then Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene which described the devolution of powers to the Provinces. On 14 November 1987, the Parliament passed the 13th Amendment and the Provincial Councils (PCs) Act, No. 42 of 1987 to establish PCs.

On 18 July 2023, Wickremesinghe assured a group of Tamil MPs that the 13th Amendment would be fully implemented - without Police powers - in the PCs.