Photo: Zee Media Bureau

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Jaffna earlier today, in a visit to help "wipe the tears from the eyes of those who suffered".

The PM, speaking at the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone of the Jaffna Cultural Centre, at Jaffna Library, said the Sri Lankan government should go beyond the 13th Amendment to the constitution, to find a political solution.

The prime minister. whose speech was delivered in Hindi and translated straight into Tamil by an interpreter, urged the Sri Lankan government to ensure the early and full implementation of the 13th amendment.

"Sri Lanka should also progress. Unity, peace and amity are essential ingredients for equitable development where there is respect for all citizens," he said.

The Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran also pointed out the inadequacy of the 13th amendment and called for its replacement with a more dynamic system of devolution.

"The 13th amendment can never be the final solution," Mr Wigneswaran said at the event, which was attended by Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

“The current 13th Amendment framework and the existing Sri Lankan constitution architecture that had evolved since the first republican constitution of 1972 without the consent and participation of the Tamils of the North and East of our country, poses formidable challenges and hindrances in realizing the quantum of devolution required to fulfill the needs and aspirations of the Tamil speaking people of the North and East of Sri Lanka,” he added.

"May I suggest that there be talks between the Sri Lankan government, Indian government, NPC and the EPC."

"We need you as a guarantor of our rights," the chief minister said, addressing Prime Minister Modi.

The chief minister also praised the prime minister for his work in Gujarat and his model of devolution of powers to states.

"As Prime Minister, you have dismantled the centralised planning system," Mr Wigneswaran said. "You are an advocate for devolution. That is what we are arguing for in Sri Lanka."

Mr Modi also launched the Indian-funded Ilavalai North-West Housing project in Jaffna, saying the 27,000 houses to be constructed are not merely bricks and stones but " an effort to make the lives of those who have suffered happier".

Prime Minister Modi with NPC Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran in Jaffna (@narendramodi)

"I am glad this programme, my final public programme, during my Sri Lanka visit, is one to wipe tears from the eyes of those who suffered," Prime Mininster Modi said on Twitter.

Speaking at the foundation laying of the Jaffna Cultural Centre, M Modi stressed the importance of rebuilding Jaffna Library.

“Jaffna is known for its world-famous Jaffna library, 100,000 transcripts and books and the cultural people, and they were all burnt. Today, we are gathering all those books, with the aim to rebuild the library," he said.

The PM arrived in Jaffna, after a brief stop in Talaimannar, 20 miles from the Indian coast, where he launched a new rail service.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph at launch of Talaimannar rail service (@narendramodi)

He met with senior members of the Tamil National Alliance in Colombo on Friday, where he assured parliamentarians he raised issues with President Sirisena, but asked the party to be patient with the government.

Speaking to The Hindu, TNA spokesperson Suresh Premachandran said: “We brought up the issue of private land in Army control and the release of political prisoners. Mr. Modi told us that he had raised the issues with President Sirisena, and that he had assured to do the needful.”

According to The Hindu, the prime minister urged the TNA to ensure that the party spoke in one voice, asking its “think tank” to come up with a different strategy to engage with the newly-formed government.