Indo-Sri Lankan Accord
The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord is a significant bilateral agreement signed on July 29, 1987, between the Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, and the President of Sri Lanka, J. R. Jayewardene. This accord aimed to bring an end to the ongoing Sri Lankan Civil War by proposing a political solution that included constitutional changes and provisions for devolution of power to the provinces.
Background
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a protracted conflict that began in the early 1980s, primarily involving the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) seeking an independent Tamil state in the north and east of the island. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of communities, drawing international attention.
India, under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi, was deeply concerned about the instability in the region and the impact of the war on the Tamil population in Sri Lanka, which shared ethnic ties with the Tamil Nadu state in India. As a result, India attempted to mediate peace and proposed the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord to bring a cessation to hostilities.
Provisions of the Accord
The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord contained several key provisions intended to address the ethnic conflict and devolution of power:
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Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka: This amendment aimed to devolve power to the provincial councils, providing more autonomy to the Tamil-majority regions.
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Provincial Councils Act of 1987: This act facilitated the establishment of provincial councils to ensure self-governance in the north and east provinces of Sri Lanka.
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Disarmament of Tamil Militants: The accord stipulated that Tamil militant groups, including the LTTE, should lay down arms.
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Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF): India agreed to send a peacekeeping force to ensure the implementation of the accord and maintain peace in the region.
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End of Indian Support for Tamil Militants: India agreed to cease support for Tamil separatists and recognized the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
Implementation and Challenges
Despite the intentions behind the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, its implementation faced significant challenges. The LTTE rejected the accord, refusing to disarm and perceiving the Indian Peace Keeping Force as an occupying force. This led to continued hostilities and eventually, the withdrawal of the IPKF in 1990.
The political landscape in Sri Lanka was further complicated by internal opposition to the accord, including from nationalist groups like the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). On the day of the accord signing, there was an attempt on Rajiv Gandhi's life by a Sri Lankan naval rating, showcasing the tensions surrounding the agreement.
Impact
The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, while initially unsuccessful in achieving its goals, laid the groundwork for future negotiations and political reforms in Sri Lanka. The Thirteenth Amendment remains a critical component of discussions around devolution and ethnic harmony in the country.