So why not change the boundaries to facilitate the resolving of the ethnic problem. It would be most salutary to combine the Trincomalee district with the Northern Province. The Eastern Province will include Batticaloa and Amparai districts. In no country e.g. USA, India, etc. could the state governments enter into agreements or obtain aid from foreign countries. The states of California or the Tamil Nadu cannot seek aid directly from a foreign country such as Japan or Germany.
Foreign affairs are the domain of the central government.
In the package, someone has pulled wool over the learned professor's eyes on this point. Devolution of power should not be a sham. Power should be fully devolved on provincial councils. Why not devolve most of those functions to the provincial councils and let them solve the problems of their province. National commissions on education, health, irrigation, power, water resources, environment, police and elections should include one member from each province nominated by the relevant provincial council, plus two members from the central government.