The JHU yesterday announced that it would resign from the Government if it fully implements the 13th Amendment to the Constitution or attempts to bring in any other solution for the national crisis granting any more powers to provinces.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, announcing his party’s decision at a press conference held at the Public Library Auditorium said that some sections of the polity now advocate that the Government go for full implementation of the 13th Amendment.

The 13th Amendment was something enforced on Sri Lanka by outsiders and the full implementation of it would grant the powers of controlling lands and police forces to the provincial councils, he said. If such powers are given to the provincial councils the sovereignty reinstated by the soldiers sacrificing life and limb would be of no avail. Thus, he said, the JHU opposes any further granting powers to the provinces.

The JHU does not oppose the provincial council system but granting further powers to them could not be allowed and if the government attempts to do so the party would resign from the Government and lead the public to defeat such efforts, he said.

He challenged those who promote and advocate the Government for a full implementation of the Amendment to an open debate with the JHU on the issue.