India seeks full implementation of 13th Amendment, & PC elections at the earliest

COLOMBO (News 1st); India has called for full implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution, delegation of powers to Provincial Councils and holding of Provincial Council elections at the earliest, said its representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

"India’s consistent view on peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka has been for a political settlement within the framework of an united Sri Lanka, ensuring justice, peace, equality and dignity for the Tamils of Sri Lanka," said the representative.

He added that the current crisis in Sri Lanka has demonstrated the limitations of debt driven economy and the impact it has on the standard of living. 

"It is in Sri Lanka’s best interests to build capacity of its citizens and work towards their empowerment, for which devolution of power to the grassroots level is a pre-requisite," the representative told the UNHRC on Monday (12). 

In this connection, operationalization of Provincial Councils through early conduct of elections will enable all citizens of Sri Lanka to achieve their aspirations for a prosperous future, he added.