Lanka extends term of key panel addressing issues of Tamils

The Sri Lankan government has extended by six months the term of a parliamentary panel that is addressing issues related to Tamil minority, a top minister informed the parliament.
The term of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) was originally scheduled to end tomorrow, six months after its inauguration.
The PSC Chair and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva recommend to the parliament that the Committee's term be extended until June 21, 2014.
"Select Committee of Parliament to Recommend and Report on Political and Constitutional Measures to empower the People of Sri Lanka to live as one nation" was formed after an aborted attempt by the government to dilute the powers of the provinces more pointedly to strip police and land controlling powers of the provincial councils.

One of the reasons for the formation of the PSC was strong objections that came from India on the dilution plans for the provinces. Indian intervention in 1987 had led to the country's thirteenth amendment.
The 13A brought in nine provincial councils as means of addressing the Tamil minority demand for provincial autonomy.
The opposition parties have boycotted the committee.