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Karu ready to pick up the gauntlet 

04 May 2022

  • Says, however, only if requested by the majority, and for a limited period
  • Notes country should go for Parliament Poll thereafter 
  • Urges immediate abolition of Exec Presidency, queries delays in repeal of 20th A
BY Buddhika Samaraweera In response to reports that he is to be given a top post in an interim government to be formed in the future, former Speaker of Parliament and National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said that if the majority of the parties concerned request him to accept such a post, he is ready to take it up, but only for a limited period of time. Speaking to The Morning on Tuesday (3), he said: “I have not applied for any position, but I know that such conversations take place. In this situation, if the majority of the relevant parties agree and hand over such a responsibility to me, I am ready to do that for the country, but only for a limited period of time.” He added that the people should be given the opportunity to elect a political leader and a party of their choice through an election after fulfilling the responsibilities of such a position for a limited period of time.  He further added that he did not want to take any position by competing with anyone or creating other conflicts, except by majority agreement.  “I have no need to contest or apply for positions except by consensus. However, if a responsibility is to be handed over, I am ready to fulfil that responsibility until a General Election is held. The primary objective of the NMSJ founded by the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera is also to work for the betterment of the country and its people," Jayasuriya said. He also commented on the debate on the repeal of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. “Currently, there are three main demands of the people, the repeal of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, the re-enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and the abolition of the Executive Presidency. In addition, there is talk of ending the incumbent Rajapaksa regime, but what people expect in the constitutional aspect is the said three main demands.” He noted that the current system of government had failed, and therefore called for the immediate abolition of the Executive Presidency by consensus among all parties. He also pointed out that the repeal of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution could be done in a very short time, if all the parties work together. “A Constitution has been in the drafting process for almost two years, but none of it has come out yet. The youths who are currently sweating and protesting at the Galle Face Green are demanding an immediate solution. Therefore, all parties must work without political divisions to find a speedy solution,” Jayasuriya added. It was recently reported that Jayasuriya is to be given a leading position in an interim Government, which is to be formed in the future considering the crisis situation in the country at present. Sources said that in such a case, several parties, including groups that had recently left the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna-led Government and since declared themselves independent in Parliament, have agreed to facilitate his appointment as an MP from the National List. When contacted by The Morning to inquire about this earlier, Jayasuriya said: “I have not applied for any post, but I know that people are talking about such a thing. So let us consider it if such an invitation is received. We, as the NMSJ, are ready to fulfil any role to build the country.” When questioned as to whether any party had requested him to accept such a post, he said that it was difficult to comment on it at this time. Jayasuriya had been serving as the Mayor of Colombo from 1997 to 1999, and thereafter held the Ministerial portfolios of Power and Energy; Public Administration and Home Affairs; Buddha Sasana, Public Administration and Democratic Governance; from 2001 to 2015. He has also served as the Deputy Leader of the United National Party. At the first session of the eighth Parliament, he was elected as the Speaker of the House on 1 September 2015.

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