By

Nadine Mariah

Leader of the Democratic Left Front, National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara emphasizes that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was a step in the right direction in solving the ethnic problem. He believes that it will be fully implemented after consultation of a fairly representative parliamentary select committee (PSC)

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Do the proposed changes to the 13th Amendment, in your view, solve the national question?

A: Yes, it is a step in the right direction to address the national question; it is definitely a right step. To have free and fair elections in the Northern and Eastern provinces is what these changes allow. We must give that to them, to elect their own representatives, that is the first step in winning them over; the Northern and Eastern provinces are still very much disillusioned.

Q: Some left-wing parties have opposed the changes; do you think the government will secure a majority to start proper implementation?

A: A large proportion of those working within government actually support the propositions. The key opposition we are facing is from the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna, led by Mr. Weerawansa and Mr. Ranawaka, however they are a miniscule, small group. The majority is in favor of holding free and fair elections in the North, that message must be clear. I repeat, it is a step in the right direction towards the unity of the country. We are all supportive of that.

Q: What is your stance on the repealing of the merging of two or more provinces?

A: That is an extinct fact. There is no possibility of another merging with the North and the East, so the clause is not relevant. There have been no other significant requests for amalgamation. The merging of the North and East failed in 1988. Minister Varatharaja Perumal called for independence not long after his election, then forcing the North Eastern province to separate once more. So in that context, the repeal is warranted and necessary, the merger clause has not benefited governance thus far.

Q: What about the need for all provincial councils to approve any legislative changes to the Constitution?

A: That is up to the Parliamentary Select Committee; we will have to wait and see. Although the outcome is predictable, given the desperate need for progressive change, any constitutional changes must be approved by the committee.

Q: How effective do you think they are going to be, and do you think it will be fairly representative?

A: They will deliberate and make the right decisions, and I think there will be fair representation. It is very important that the TNA is involved, although I believe that all parties will come into it, as they rightly should.

Q: Do you think the Left parties feel that full implementation of the 13th Amendment will solve the ethnic problem?

A: We don’t call it the ethnic problem; we call it the ‘national question’. The left parties are the small parties; they don’t really have a voice. The right thinking rational parties all believe that the proposed changes are a step in the right direction to solving the national question

Q: What are the alternatives opposing left parties have offered to the proposed changes?

A: There is no alternative. Those are all hypothetical solutions; they are not part of politics. There is no alternative to the provincial council system and these changes are necessary.
COURTESY:THE SUNDAY LEADER