India has renewed its longstanding call for Sri Lanka to fully implement the 13th Amendment to its Constitution, including the devolution of land and police powers, during the opening of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Delivering India’s statement, Anupama Singh, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India, underscored New Delhi’s position that meaningful devolution and reconciliation are key to Sri Lanka’s long-term peace and stability.
“As a close friend and immediate neighbour, India has consistently supported the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, dignity, and peace — within the framework of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she said.
The 13th Amendment, introduced in 1987 through the Indo-Lanka Accord, was intended to devolve powers to Sri Lanka’s provinces.
However, successive governments in Colombo have refrained from fully implementing provisions related to land and police powers — a source of ongoing concern for India.
Singh also highlighted India’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, especially following the 2022 financial crisis.
She cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo in April 2025 and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi in December 2024 as markers of a growing, multi-dimensional partnership.
India once again called for the early conduct of long-delayed Provincial Council elections, reaffirming that an inclusive political process and genuine reconciliation would strengthen bilateral ties and ensure a durable peace for all communities in Sri Lanka.
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