| by N.S.Venkatararman
( October 23,
2012, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) There is intense debate in Sri Lanka
about the 13th amendment to the constitution, which gives the provinces
a measure of autonomy. A section of the people think that this 13th amendment is untimely,
unnecessary, counter productive and therefore, should be scrapped once for
all. It
is said that the government of Sri Lanka may prune the amendment
drastically in the light of the pressure
from a section of Sri Lankans.
Providing
autonomy to provinces should be seen and discussed to evaluate as to whether
such measures would improve administrative efficiency, provide greater
encouragement to the provinces in working out innovative schemes for
growth and promote all round
development. On the other hand, it appears that the discussions about the proposed
amendment are being carried out on the basis of apprehensions and fear complex
of the provinces becoming too assertive that may affect the national
unity. Possibly, the opponents of the
13th amendment have the ethnic conflict and
regrettable war that haunted Sri Lanka
in their mind , while opposing the concept of greater autonomy to the
provinces.
On careful
thinking, one would come to the conclusion that any fear that greater autonomy
to the provinces would lead to national integration would be baseless and
unfounded. This is a panic reaction that shows lack of confidence about the
maturity of the people and political parties.
The best
assurance for the stability and progress of Sri Lanka is the sustained economic
and industrial growth in all regions ,
that would lead to elimination of poverty and contribute to better improvement
of national wealth and opportunities. The unrest would take place only in
regions where there would be economic disparity and denial of fair
opportunities to the citizens. Giving autonomy to the provinces would certainly
lead to greater opportunities for the provinces to experiment with newer ideas
of development and growth appropriate to the strength and weakness of the
provinces.
However, Sri
Lanka should go ahead with the 13th amendment only if it would feel confident
and comfortable about the idea. Let not
the decision in favour of 13th amendment be taken on the basis of fear that
scrapping of the 13th amendment idea would spoil the image of Sri Lanka
globally, particularly when the spotlight would be on the country at the U N
Human Rights Council ( U N HRC) meeting in November.
The world
opinion can change due to variety of reasons and change in quick time and any country should
take decision on internal administrative matters only based on its self interests and not based on world view. Any succumbing to the pressure of the world
opinion would amount to diluting the concept of the sovereignty of the nation.
The immediate
example of how the world view changes on various considerations is that of
China. The government of China still
remains authoritarian to a large extent and the freedom for the citizens are
still restricted in variety of ways. With nothing changing in China as far as
such restrictions are concerned , many western countries have now changed their
views and policies towards China and are bending to keep China in good humour.
Certainly, when
Sri Lanka would become economically stronger , the world view on Sri Lanka would be very positive,
irrespective of the internal administrative structure in the country or any
other similar matter.
While greater autonomy for the provinces is
desirable, the government of Sri Lanka
should move the 13th amendment based on its conviction and not on the fear of
the world view.
 There is intense debate in Sri Lanka about the 13th ame...){kind=link}