CHENNAI: The AIADMK on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene directly to ensure that the provincial councils in Sri Lanka are not done away with and to ensure devolution of powers to Lankan Tamils.
A resolution was passed at the party general council meeting held in Chennai. “The most essential aspect of the Indo-Sri Lankan accord signed in 1987 is the Provincial Council, which grants autonomy to Tamil areas. There are reports from Colombo about plans to do away with the councils. The government of India should immediately intervene in this matter since it is an act of contempt of the accord and will be the greatest atrocity committed against the Tamils,” the party said.
The Indo-Sri Lankan accord was signed to protect the rights of the Tamils living in the north eastern region of the Island nation, and to ensure devolution of powers. As a follow up of the agreement, the Indian government has been taking several measures to implement the agreement and offered economic assistance, the resolution said.
During his recent visit to Colombo, Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar told reporters that it was in Sri Lankan’s own interest that the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka were fulfilled. “That applies equally to the commitments made by the Sri Lankan government on meaningful devolution, including the 13th amendment to the Constitution. The progress and prosperity of Sri Lanka will surely be advanced as a consequence,” Jaishankar said.
In a statement, Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit said it was an important statement from Jaishankar that signified the concern of the Indian government towards Tamil sisters and brothers in Sri Lanka.