Wide spread discussions on 21st Amendment underway

Wide spread discussions have got underway on the proposed 21th Amendment to the Constitution with internal discussions among political parties, briefings to Buddhist monks and civil society closely studying the proposals.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was due to brief the Amarapura Nikaya monks and their representatives regarding the proposed constitution while similar briefings are due to be continued in the next few days, before the Cabinet takes ups the draft next Monday.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya National Organiser Tissa Attanayake told the media that the proposed amendments were under study, but in principle they wanted the 19th Amendment restored through the proposed amendments.

He said however, another key demand has been that the Executive Presidential system should be abolished, but there has been arguments brought forward that the matter would have to be placed before a referendum.

The moves come in the wake of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) declaring that they were supportive of the 21st Amendment, but have also submitted their own proposals.

In a related development,  President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has summoned the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna MPs for a discussion on the proposed Constitutional amendments today.
The SLFP MPs also have been invited to the meeting.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe briefing Mahanayaka thera of the  nikaya Ven Dodampahala Chandasiri thera today. on the 21st Amendment.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday in a special statement explained the proposals further on the proposed 21st Amendment.

“As party leaders,  we are now preparing the 21st Amendment in this regard”, he said.

He said that regarding the abolition of the Executive Presidency the timing and methodology must be decided by the Party Leaders.

“According to the new system we have proposed, the President will be held accountable to the Parliament. The Cabinet of Ministers is also accountable to Parliament. The National Council is also accountable to Parliament. Fifteen Committees and Oversight Committees are accountable to Parliament”.

“There is a system in place to control the Government through the Cabinet, to examine the work of the President, to oversee the work of the political affairs through the National Council and to oversee the financial affairs and other matters of the other fifteen committees. There are articles prepared on this matter. I appreciate that a number of other organizations have made similar proposals,” Mr Wickremesinghe said.

Minister Rajapakshe said the draft 21St Amendment to the Constitution can be submitted to Cabinet by June 6 for approval.

He said party leaders met at the Prime Minister’s office on Friday to discuss the draft amendment a final decision on the matter could be reached this week.

Pix by Indika Handuwala