Settling Sri Lanka’s Ethnic Problem
Context:
India’s renaming of the Jaffna Cultural Centre to “Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre” reinforces the historical and cultural bond between India and Sri Lanka.
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- The initial omission of ‘Jaffna’ stirred some discontent among Sri Lankan Tamils, but the Indian government quickly rectified the situation, showcasing its commitment to the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
- The name change symbolises India’s ongoing support for Sri Lanka’s ethnic reconciliation process, particularly in Tamil-majority areas.
Indo-Lanka Relationship and 13th Amendment (13A)
- Evolving Role: Over the past 40 years, India’s role in Sri Lanka evolved from being a mediator in the Tamil ethnic conflict to an active player in seeking resolution.
- 1987 Accord: The Indo-Lanka Accord (1987) and the subsequent 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution created Provincial Councils, offering limited autonomy to Tamil-majority regions.
- Opposition from Lanka: The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), now led by President Dissanayake, opposed both the Accord and the Amendment, perceiving them as Indian impositions.
- The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), advocating for Tamil Eelam, opposed the Accord’s provisions for autonomy, favoring the division of Sri Lanka instead.
India and Sri LankaIndia-Sri Lanka relations are characterised by a long-standing partnership that spans over 2,500 years, marked by deep cultural, historical, and civilizational ties. In recent years, particularly following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, the relationship has strengthened significantly. India provided over $4.5 billion in economic and humanitarian assistance during this period, reinforcing its role as Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbor and largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached approximately $5.5 billion in FY 2023-24, with India being a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in sectors like energy and telecommunications. Recent high-level visits, including the Sri Lankan President’s state visit to India, have focused on enhancing cooperation in areas such as defense, connectivity, and renewable energy. Both nations are also exploring an Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) to further integrate their economies. Additionally, India has committed significant development assistance for various projects across Sri Lanka, including infrastructure and housing initiatives. |
India’s Continued Push for 13A Implementation
- Incomplete Implementation: Despite being more than 35 years since the Accord and the 13th Amendment, their full implementation remains incomplete, particularly in Tamil-majority areas.
- Uncertainty: Indian leaders, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, have repeatedly urged Sri Lanka for the “early, full, or effective implementation” of 13A.
- However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks during President Dissanayake’s state visit to India in December 2024 raised concerns about whether India is beginning to distance itself from the 13A issue.
- The absence of an explicit reference to the 13A during Modi’s public statements suggests uncertainty in India’s stance on the matter.
Sri Lanka’s Political Landscape and Devolution Debate
- Sri Lanka’s ruling National People’s Power (NPP), led by the JVP, has debated whether to fully implement 13A.
- While Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya supports its implementation, she questions whether it is a tenable solution to Sri Lanka’s national issue.
- President Dissanayake’s campaign largely avoided discussions on power devolution, and the NPP’s September 2024 manifesto focused on drafting a new constitution that ensures democracy and equality.
Local Bodies vs. Provincial Councils
- Sri Lanka plans to hold elections to local bodies and provincial councils, though local bodies, which have a longer history, cannot replace the need for Provincial Councils.
- Local governments in Sri Lanka face challenges in addressing urbanisation, revenue limitations, and fiscal dependence, making Provincial Councils essential for addressing broader issues.
- The 2017 report of Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Assembly Steering Committee called for provinces to be the primary unit of devolution.
It’s time for Sri Lankan leaders, particularly from the JVP, to view Provincial Councils not as an imposition of India but as an essential mechanism for devolution, born out of a collaborative constitutional process between the two countries.
