Indo-Lanka accord is a sound framework, say experts
The Indo-Sri Lankan agreement drafted in 1987 is a sound framework that can be improved upon, say politicians and those who were involved closely with the political developments then.
For speakers at the launch of Tamil book, Ore inaprachinaiyum or opandhamum on Friday, it was time to recall the incidents that led to the accord and the later developments, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the death of LTTE leader Prabhakaran.
N. Ram, Chairman, The Hindu Group, recalled that Panruti S. Ramachandran, then a Minister in M.G. Ramachandran’s Cabinet had explained Prabakaran’s position to Rajiv Gandhi and that the former would never compromise on anything less than a separate State for Tamils. “The gap could not be bridged. I know that neither Centre nor State has supported a separate State. Even in Tamil Nadu, people have not supported the idea,” he said, recalling that during elections the issue was generally part of other demands. Senior journalist Gnani recalled that when the accord was being framed, he had vehemently opposed it.
Advocate K.S. Radhakrishnan recalled the events that led to India’s involvement in Sri Lanka’s internal strife and felt that it was a geopolitical issue that India could not neglect.
Mr. Ramachandran felt the agreement was a guarantee on the part of India but since the Sinhalese did not welcome it, the accord did not work. The decisions made by successive Sri Lankan rulers played a major part in dividing the populations. However, it is equality and providing equal opportunities that would bring about equal outcome, he said.
The book, authored by T. Ramakrishnan, Senior Associate Editor with The Hindu, was released by Mr. Ramachandran and the first copywas received by the author’s mother, Rajeswari Thyagarajan.
Former IPS officer G. Thilakavathi recalled her long association with Asokamitran and his wife, Rajeswari. Nanda, publisher of Kalaignan Publications, spoke.
(The Hindu)
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we the people of Sri Lanka cannot get communal harmony without advocating a Sri Lankan Identity it can only be done by getting rid of segregated schools by making English the medium of instruction from kindergarten upwards also get the assistance of the British Council to make all Sri Lankans including our representative in parliament proficient in English . Also Support all Buddhist organizations and the people of our Country who are claiming from our government the rights they were given at the Kandyan Convention which has not being full filed by our government while in New Zealand a Similar agreement called Waitangi Agreement is being full filed by the New Zealand government by giving to the Maoris back their land and their fishing rights and is the subject matter in their schools while in our schools I am not aware whether Ceylon History is taught in our schools. It is because of Ceylon History being taught in our school during colonial time I came to Know of the Kandyan Convention . Why have a change in the constitution when it can be amendment our constitution has been amended only about 21 times but the Indian Constitution has been amended over 101times up to july 2016 times even with such amendments the death due to communal violence averages over 3 per day let this not happen to our Country because of the 13th amendment which was forced down our throats by India by the so called Indo Sri Lanka agreement of 1978 which we Sri Lankans should never forgive or forget , which agreement main part of disarming the LTTE India did not full fill and as such has caused over 100000 Sri Lankan Lives, over 100000 Sri Lankans suffering loss of limbs, hands and eyes and 800 billion US $ financial Loss to Our Country as stated in parliament on November 13th 2017 Why do not a patriot organization go to the Supreme Court on the basis of article 126 (5) by which a petition in the Supreme Court should be completed within 2 months of filing a petition in the Supreme Court or making such reference and get this 13th amendment nullified naming TNA, India KP and LTTE fronts in several counties as respondents.