By Lakna Paranamanna
Throwing a fresh spanner in the works the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday refused to support the power division package based on the 13th Amendment currently being drafted by the government to be implemented in the north insisting that it would divide rather than unite the people.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told the media that the government had no clear vision of what to do with the newly liberated North and as such different groups within the government were working to undermine the hard fought victories. He noted that implementation of the APRC proposals or a deeper implementation of the 13th Amendment as proposed by a group of Ministers including Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne would simply be handing over those areas to LTTE conspirators.

He pointed out that the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has clearly stated they would implement the 13th Amendment following the defeat of the LTTE thus moving into options for the devolution of power. “The implementation of the 13th Amendment entitles the provincial council of the North with police and land authority.

Contd.on paThis action is similar to handing over the authority of those provinces into the hands of the conspirators that supported the LTTE, legally. The most disturbing fact is that they are also considering the possibility of a power devolution which can be exercised beyond the authorities that 13th amendment entitles.”

He pointed out that even the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) has finished compiling their proposals for power devolution process and that the Government is gradually getting ready to implement the wishes of the conspirators.

He also accused a group of ministers in the Government which includes Ministers Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and Dilan Perara, of being conspirators although they claim that they are assisting the government on its proceedings to strengthen the power devolution process. “Our question is, who are these people serving and why is the Government not taking any action against these people? It is clear that the Government is not taking any action because they approve of these actions and it is clear that scheming forces are strengthening within the Government.”

Stating their stance on the issue, he said that ever since the start they have made it clear, that they do not choose power devolution as the solution for the ethnic crisis. “It is because devolution is another way for separating people. We believe in providing equal grounds and rights and establishing democracy in the North. That is the ultimate solution for the crisis,” he said adding that they would do everything within their power to prevent the separation of the country.

The JVP also accused the Government of yielding to the wills of the foreign supremacies and vowed that they would take every action within their power to prevent the division of the country.

“While the Government is taking steps to stabilise power in the North and defeat terrorism, underhand they are going against the mandate of the masses,” stated the JVP General Secretary adding that the Government is giving into the wishes of the conspirators of India and Western countries that encourage division of the country.

“The Government has no clear vision or understanding of what steps to take after the North is liberalised from the clutches of terrorism,” he said and added that as a result, the Government is on the verge of committing terrible mistakes, and they have already made a few. “They have allowed foreign supremacies to work themselves into the internal affairs of the country.” He pointed out that the best example is the Army hospital which is due to be constructed in Pulmudai by India. “India is working trying to take advantage of the natural resources of the country,” he emphasised.