As foreign minister S.M. Krishna embarks on a four-day bilateral visit to Sri Lanka beginning January 16, New Delhi will be hoping to once again push its demand that Colombo implement the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. It provides for devolution of powers to the northern and eastern provinces as part of the on-going reconciliation process in the country.
While the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is seeking land and police powers in the provinces, a wary Sri Lankan government does not want the creation of separate police force under the provincial council. Neither does it want to give land powers since it fears this will mean that 70 per cent of the land will go to the provincial councils since it is state-owned.
The two sides will also be discussing the contentious issue of Indian fishermen often straying into Sri Lankan waters. While India has been suggesting that Sri Lankan waters be made “joint fishing grounds”, Colombo doesn’t want this. Instead, it has been suggesting that there be joint patrolling of the sea waters to which India is not inclined.
Mr Krishna will also review the 50,000 housing units project for internally-displaced persons being funded by India. Sources said fresh tenders have been floated for the pilot project for the construction of 1,000 houses for internally-displaced persons after the previous tenders were cancelled.
China, which has been assiduously wooing Colombo with assistance for infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka too is expected to figure during the discussions between the two sides, said sources.