SLPP wants Prez to discuss 13A with religious leaders, Muslims

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) stated that President and National Policies Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should discuss the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution not only with politicians but also with other parties such as Buddhist monks and other religious leaders.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, SLPP General Secretary Government Parliamentarian and attorney Sagara Kariyawasam said that in implementing the 13th Amendment, holding discussions with politicians is not enough. 

  "There is no point in discussing this only with politicians. Buddhist monks have contributed a lot to solving our national problems. Therefore, the President should discuss with them and other religious leaders as well."

He also mentioned that it is very important to discuss the matter with other communities in addition to the Tamil community. "We have requested Wickremesinghe to discuss this matter with the Sinhala and Muslim communities. Especially, the majority of Muslim politicians are of the opinion that the North and the East should not be unified."

President Wickremesinghe first said late last year (2022) that he would fully implement the 13th Amendment. He has had several rounds of discussions with political parties on the matter so far, particularly the political parties representing the Tamil community.

Meanwhile, the Mahanayakas (Chief Prelates) of the main Buddhist Sects had recently sent a letter to the President, asking him not to implement the 13th Amendment, and more than 100 Buddhist monks had organised a protest against Wickremesinghe's preparations to implement the said Amendment near the Parliament in February 2023.