President Mahinda Rajapaksa today informed India’s National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) is the best forum to reach a consensus on the implementation of the 13th Amendment.

 During a meeting at the President’s House in Colombo this morning, President Rajapaksa explained to Mr. Menon the practical problems that exist with devolving land and police powers to the provinces of a small country such as Sri Lanka and stressed that the structure that is implemented should apply and be acceptable to all parts of the country.

The President agreed with Mr. Menon that the participation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the PSC is important, according to a statement issued by the President’s Media Division. It is a top priority of the government to reach a consensus on the 13th Amendment, President Rajapaksa said.

The President also urged India to encourage the TNA to participate in the PSC and stated that the government is committed to taking the process forward despite any obstacles.

Director of the Indian Prime Minister’s Office Manu Mahavar, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Y.K. Sinha and the Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka P. Kumaran accompanied Mr. Menon.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda, Monitoring Member of Parliament of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Prasad Kariyawasam also participated in the discussion.

Meanwhile an Indian High Commission statement said that India called for an early political settlement and national reconciliation through the meaningful devolution of power in Sri Lanka and asked it to adhere to the commitments made to the international community, including the Indian government.

“India wishes to ensure that all citizens of Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community, lead a life marked by equality, justice, dignity and self-respect,” the statement said.

“In this context, he (Menon) also emphasised the need for adhering to the commitments made by the Sri Lankan government to India and the international community on a political settlement in Sri Lanka that would go beyond the 13th Amendment,” the statement said.