The 13th Amendment of Sri Lanka: A Step towards Equality and Devolution of Power
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka is a landmark legislation that has played a crucial role in shaping the country's political landscape. It was enacted in 1987 as a result of the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord, which aimed to address the ethnic tensions prevailing in the nation at the time. The amendment primarily focuses on two main aspects - devolution of power and the establishment of Provincial Councils. The primary objective of the 13th Amendment was to address the long-standing grievances of the Tamil minority community, who were seeking greater autonomy and a say in the decisions affecting their lives. The amendment sought to create nine Provincial Councils, based on linguistic and ethnic factors, in order to grant power and authority to these regions regarding local governance and administration. The establishment of Provincial Councils under the 13th Amendment marked a significant shift in the Sri Lankan political landscape. These councils were given the po