You were part of the MPs delegation to meet India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. What was discussed during the meeting?
Yes. We have formed a common platform called 'Medi' which comprises the Tamil-speaking political parties, Muslim parties, Hill Country parties, and parties in the northeast—six parties have united. We put forward three demands. The first is that the Provincial Council elections must be held. It has been two years since the government said that the Provincial Council elections will be held, but it hasn’t happened. Next is the land issue. That problem exists in the Hill Country and everywhere. Now, in the northeast, all three forces—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—are holding lands. These are people's private lands. They must be released. When all six parties went to see the president last time, he said he would release them. The president said this was an ambition or goal, and he would definitely release them. But, at the same time, on the following day or the third day, the deputy defence minister said in Parliament that the land cannot be released. Third is the new Constitution, which is being delayed by the government. We informed Misri of all these developments.
Did you emphasise on holding provincial council elections? What was Misri’s reply?
Yes. We said that India should insist our government holds the elections. The Provincial Council election should be held immediately.
The government led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake is talking about bringing a new constitution. Another thing they say very importantly is Ekkiya Rajya (Unitary State). Was there any discussion about this?
No, we didn't talk about that. Ekkiya Rajya is an old story. The Anura government is preparing to come up with a new constitution. When writing a new constitution, we will all join together and give a proposal regarding the devolution of power. All the Tamil-speaking parties will join together and give what is needed. But now, what we are looking for is devolution of power and the PC election.
Did you talk about the 13th amendment also and has India in anyway deviated from this?
The Provincial Council election and devolution of power comes within the 13th Amendment. So, we talked in that regard.
India has been firm that the 13th Amendment should be implemented in Sri Lanka. So, why is there a problem for the current government? Why are they not holding the Provincial Council elections?
No, earlier the government's policy was that there shouldn't be a merger of the North and East in the Provincial Council system. After that, they didn't like the Provincial Council. Now, we don't know how the current NPP government is going to handle it when writing the new Constitution. Whether they will do it by leaving out the Provincial Councils, we don't know. We cannot allow that. But in the current situation, this government says it is going to hold the Provincial Council elections. They have also formed a committee in Parliament.
Did that committee hold talks?
The talks are ongoing. Will it be done according to the old system or after this new delimitation? That will be the committee's decision. If it is to be done according to the old system, a resolution can be brought in Parliament. If it is the new system, then delimitation will occur. By the time the delimitation is finished, the government's term will be over. If delimitation is the government's goal, the election will not happen. If the government proceeds according to the old system and then everyone supports changing the system for the next election, that would work.
Is the government now in a mood to accept the suggestion given by India—specifically from Vikram Misri—to hold the election?
India is constantly saying it. Even this time, after Vikram Misri left, the government said it will do it. But to what extent it is feasible, the government must decide. Taking the election forward under the old system and holding it immediately would be an action that respects India.
Is there another voice for India in this? On one hand, it's said that when talking to the government, they pressure for the devolution of power and the holding of Provincial Council elections. But another voice says that when India meets Tamil MPs, they advise them not to always have expectations for a full federal system. Is that true?
No one said that. India has only one objective: the Provincial Council elections must be held. India is firm on that. It is also firm that there should be devolution of power.
