Federalism has long been advocated as a means of resolving the ethnic issues and unbalanced development in Sri Lanka.
[11] In February 2016, the Chief Minister of Sri Lanka's Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran, sought India's direct intervention to ensure the complete implementation of the amendment.
These groups argued that the amendment threatened Sri Lanka’s unitary state structure and could encourage separatist sentiments.
The SLFP, historically a champion of Sinhalese nationalism, has also expressed concerns over the amendment, though its stance has varied over the years, especially depending on political alliances and leadership.
[15] This opposition has contributed to the reluctance of successive governments to fully implement the amendment, particularly in devolving police and land powers.
As a result, the amendment remains a contentious issue, with some viewing it as essential for ethnic reconciliation and others as a threat to national sovereignty.