India told Sri Lanka at the 30th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Thursday, that “meaningful devolution of authority” to the provinces under the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution, and building on it, are essential for ethnic reconciliation in the island nation.

Speaking after the consensual adoption of the US-led resolution on Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka, which Lanka had co-sponsored with 36 other members, Indian Ambassador Ajit Kumar said that it is India’s “firm belief” that the way to reconciliation is through devolution of power.

India hopes that given the “sagacity and political will” of its leadership, Lanka will move towards “genuine” reconciliation and development, Kumar further said. “India has always supported efforts to preserve Sri Lanka’s character as a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious society in which all citizens, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community, can live in equality, safety and harmony, and prosper and fulfill their aspirations within a united Sri Lanka,” he emphasized.

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in Parliament following the Rajiv Gandhi - JR Jayawardene Indo-Lanka Accord on 1987.

(With inputs from The New Indian Express)