‘JVP backs 13A despite debate in party’

COLOMBO: The 13th Amendment to the Constitution should be implemented fully as it has already been presented as a solution to the national question, said MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The JVP/NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, however, said there was a debate within her party whether the full implementation of the 13th Amendment would help solve the national problem.

She said that her party had no faith in the promises, and initiatives by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as regards the implementation of the 13th Amendment.

“Why is he talking about the full implementation of the 13th Amendment at this juncture? He had ample time and opportunities. Therefore, we believe that his promises are only empty words and he will not take forward the implementation of the amendment,” Dr. Amarasuriya said.

Asked to explain the NPP stand on the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “It has been presented as a solution to the national problem. It is already there in the Constitution and we believe that it should be implemented, but we have a debate whether it could be a tenable solution for the national problem.

“Our standpoint is that a government with genuine intention of addressing the issues of Tamil people must bring about solutions to the national problem, and we have no faith in other parties, but only the NPP could do that.”