The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today asked the Indian government to play a “proactive” diplomatic role in ensuring the implementation of the Rajiv-Jayawardene accord to enable Sri Lankan Tamils lead a life of dignity as equal citizens.

Noting that Sri Lankan government was planning to dilute key provisions of the 13th Amendment to its Constitution, senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said the proposed changes raised doubts about Colombo’s commitments to India and the international community, including the UN, on a political settlement in the island nation, beyond this amendment.

In a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said, “It was a relief to hear your comments expressing dismay” at the suggestion that Sri Lanka planned to dilute certain key provisions of the 13th Amendment ahead of elections to the Northern Provincial Council.

“There is deep concern in India about the welfare and well-being of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and hoping that the Sri Lankan Tamil community would lead a life of dignity, as equal citizens, in Sri Lanka,” Yechury said.

He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that New Delhi “plays a proactive diplomatic role in discharging its commitment for a future for the Sri Lankan Tamil community marked by equality, justice and self-respect.

“Needless to add, this 13th Amendment was the consequence of the historic Rajiv-Jayawardene Accord. It is, thus, expected that India plays a role in the implementation of the provisions of the Accord, while strengthening the best of relations between our two sovereign countries,” Yechury added. - PTI