By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
Former Cabinet Minister, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to formulate a new constitution instead of introducing the 20th Amendment.
In a letter written to the President, MP Rajapakshe pointed out that in a situation where the country is facing a severe economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus, it was unwise to create a constitutional crisis and fight over it.
In addition, vehement opposition was also expressed among society against the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution, and the people who voted for the Government and the President had also become hopeless, he noted.
The law veteran stressed that he decided to raise his concerns over the 20th Amendment in a 10-page letter, as he and other ministers and MPs weren’t given an opportunity to express their opinions over the proposed Amendment; they were told there was no need to discuss the Amendment and that it would definitely be passed in Parliament by the President irrespective of the outcome of the meeting that was called at Temple Trees on 9 October to discuss the 20th Amendment.
Elaborating further, former Justice Minister Rajapakshe also stated that the two points expressed by Education Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris at the beginning of the meeting by were totally wrong.
Accordingly, the points, as explained by Rajapakshe, which were wrongly interpreted by Prof. Pieris, included the inability of the President under the 19th Amendment to remove the IGP (Inspector General of Police) and the Attorney General (AG), and to appoint a sub-committee within the Cabinet for economic activities and the holding of its chairmanship by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The MP denied any connection between the two points raised by Prof. Pieris to the 19th Amendment.
Rajapakshe reiterated the negative aspects of the 20th Amendment under 10 subtopics in the letter.
The 10 subtopics include: removing of several presidential powers, abolishing of the commissions needed for the country including the audit commission and procurement commission, removing the limitations introduced on the number of cabinet and state and deputy ministers, enabling the president to dissolve parliament within a year from the inauguration, introducing provisions to present emergency acts, amending the law which disabled a dual citizen to become an MP or the president of the country, removing the Presidential Secretariat and Prime Minister’s Office from the Auditor General’s inspection, repealing the constitutional provisions which made it compulsory to audit an institution in which the state has shares of over 50%, removing the Bribery and Corruption Commission, and removing of the oath in the subsection for not dividing the country, which has already been accepted by the Justice Ministry which said it was a mistake.Bring new constitution instead of 20A: Wijeyadasa
14 Oct 2020
Bring new constitution instead of 20A: Wijeyadasa
14 Oct 2020
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
Former Cabinet Minister, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to formulate a new constitution instead of introducing the 20th Amendment.
In a letter written to the President, MP Rajapakshe pointed out that in a situation where the country is facing a severe economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus, it was unwise to create a constitutional crisis and fight over it.
In addition, vehement opposition was also expressed among society against the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution, and the people who voted for the Government and the President had also become hopeless, he noted.
The law veteran stressed that he decided to raise his concerns over the 20th Amendment in a 10-page letter, as he and other ministers and MPs weren’t given an opportunity to express their opinions over the proposed Amendment; they were told there was no need to discuss the Amendment and that it would definitely be passed in Parliament by the President irrespective of the outcome of the meeting that was called at Temple Trees on 9 October to discuss the 20th Amendment.
Elaborating further, former Justice Minister Rajapakshe also stated that the two points expressed by Education Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris at the beginning of the meeting by were totally wrong.
Accordingly, the points, as explained by Rajapakshe, which were wrongly interpreted by Prof. Pieris, included the inability of the President under the 19th Amendment to remove the IGP (Inspector General of Police) and the Attorney General (AG), and to appoint a sub-committee within the Cabinet for economic activities and the holding of its chairmanship by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The MP denied any connection between the two points raised by Prof. Pieris to the 19th Amendment.
Rajapakshe reiterated the negative aspects of the 20th Amendment under 10 subtopics in the letter.
The 10 subtopics include: removing of several presidential powers, abolishing of the commissions needed for the country including the audit commission and procurement commission, removing the limitations introduced on the number of cabinet and state and deputy ministers, enabling the president to dissolve parliament within a year from the inauguration, introducing provisions to present emergency acts, amending the law which disabled a dual citizen to become an MP or the president of the country, removing the Presidential Secretariat and Prime Minister’s Office from the Auditor General’s inspection, repealing the constitutional provisions which made it compulsory to audit an institution in which the state has shares of over 50%, removing the Bribery and Corruption Commission, and removing of the oath in the subsection for not dividing the country, which has already been accepted by the Justice Ministry which said it was a mistake.Kapruka
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!