India pushes TNA towards economic development issues

Commentary
By Editor_1
India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Tamil leader R Sampanthan on Sunday (28) in the last moments of his two-day visit to Sri Lanka - sirfnews.com
0
By P. K. Balachandran

COLOMBO – India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, and the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), R. Sampanthan, during a brief meeting on Sunday (29), talked about the economic development of Sri Lanka, including the Tamil-speaking North and East in the background of the contemporary health-related challenges, the Indian High Commission said in a brief statement.

But details of the development programs discussed were not given in the official release, nor was there any indication that the reported bid by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government to repeal the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (13A), which gives the provinces a modicum of autonomy, had come up during the talks.

However, political sources told Daily Express that the 13A case was discussed, but that both sides had agreed to keep it under wraps given the political sensitivities about the matter in Sri Lanka.

It is obvious that India is keener on the economic development of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, given the difficulties in persuading a sovereign government to yield to foreign pressure on domestic political issues like the constitution and devolution of power.

On an earlier visit to Colombo, the present Indian Foreign Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, had told TNA leaders that they should raise development issues while demanding devolution of power and not hold development hostage to political goals.

The need for economic development in the war-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces cannot be over-emphasized. The Tamils had a chance to develop the Northern Province when the TNA was in power there for a full term. But the Provincial Council headed by the Alliance’s Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, cared little for development saying a political solution based on maximum autonomy should come first.

“Putting development before a political solution is arrived at is like putting the cart before the horse,” Wigneswaran used to say.

The provincial administration under Wigneswaran used to send back, unspent, a good deal of the developmental funds given by the central government in Colombo. The Chief Minister’s plea was that the developmental plans sought to be funded by the centre, were not chalked out with the consent of the provincial council.

Doval might only have been partially interested in discussing the fate of the 13th Amendment because India’s concerns and priorities have changed over time with changes in geopolitics brought about by China’s ingress into Sri Lanka. But Sampanthan would certainly have raised the issue as it is of great concern to the Tamils, who also insist that having acted as a midwife in the birth of the 13A through the India-Lanka Accord of 1987, India has a moral responsibility to see that it remains in the statute book.

Furthermore, the Tamils are hanging on to a joint statement issued after the last Modi-Gotabaya Rajapaksa talks in New Delhi which said: “Prime Minister Modi called on the Government of Sri Lanka to address the aspirations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka, including by carrying forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.”

The Tamil minority genuinely fears the Sinhala-nationalist Gotabaya Rajapaksa government will repeal the 13A since it is seen as being a divisive system. In the view of the Sinhala majority, with whose overwhelming support the Rajapaksas came to power, provincial autonomy is nothing but a stepping stone to secession. In fact, the present Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, had once said he would not allow the Tamils to get at the negotiating table what they could not get by waging war – namely a separate independent ‘Tamil Eelam’ in the North and East.

However, it is noteworthy that during his presidency, Mahinda Rajapaksa did not abolish the 13A. As he once explained, the Sinhala political class had begun to see the provincial councils as avenues of political mobility and therefore, they could not be wished away. The provincial councils were in-between the local Pradeshiya Sabhas and the national Parliament, a political stepping stone as it were. As provincial councillors and ministers, politicians get to enjoy official power, political clout and prestige, which they would loathe to give up.

But the Tamils fear that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is a different kettle of fish who will take drastic measures. He is a military man, a former Lt. Colonel, with very definitive views on issues. To add to the Tamils’ anxieties, the president appointed Adm. Rtd. Sarath Weerasekara, a known opponent of the 13A and provincial councils, as Minister of Provincial Councils.  And Adm. Weerasekara has been firing salvos at the provincial council-system describing them as bottlenecks and a drain on the country’s scarce financial resources.

However, many believe President Gotabaya will not abolish the 13A and that the appointment of Adm. Weerasekara as Minister of Provincial Councils and the licence given to him to denounce the 13A, are meant to keep his Sinhala nationalist constituency happy. According to the Colombo-based leader of the Indian Origin Tamils, Mano Ganeshan, the Sinhalese may not want democracy for the Tamils, but they certainly want it for themselves. Therefore the provincial councils will remain.

If the government was keen on abolishing the provincial councils, it would not have allocated a huge amount of money to the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government in the 2021 budget. The nine provincial councils have been allocated a total of over Rs 338 billion, of which around Rs 279 billion will go towards recurrent expenditure and around Rs 58 billion towards capital expenditure. The provincial councils are among the top recipients of budgeted funds.

India would like the TNA to cooperate with the Sri Lankan government to make the maximum use of the funds allocated to develop the Tamil-speaking Northern and Eastern provinces.

 -P K. Balachandran is a senior Colombo-based journalist who in the past two decades, has reported for The Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express and the Economist

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication