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UNP ready to support passing of 19th Amendment, says Ranil
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that the United National Party (UNP) was prepared to extend its support to pass the proposed 19th Amendment to the Constitution, presented by Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thera, on scaling down the powers of the Executive Presidency.
Mr. Wickremesinghe said he was seeking clarification on the issue following reports in websites that the proposed amendments are to be presented in Parliament next month as an urgent Bill.
“The UNP supports this Bill but we would like the Government to discuss it with us before it is presented to the House. If the others are ready we are can pass it without a debate,” the Opposition Leader said.
He said he believed that the other parties in Parliament were ready to discuss the proposal.
However Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Leader of the House said the Government does not act on gossip or rumours. “If we want to introduce the Bill we will do it. We are not swayed by gossip and rumours that appear on different web sites,” he said.
The JHU, which is a constituent partner in the ruling United People s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), wants the 19th Amendment passed by Parliament prior to the next Presidential poll.
Among the key features of the proposals are to strengthen Parliamentary powers by reducing the powers of the President.