JHU wants Cabinet reduced to 25

19 October 2014 08:04 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) adopted eight resolutions at its 11th convention yesterday -- including one calling for the reduction of the Cabinet to 25 members and another to amend the Constitution so as to get rid of the presidential immunity before the next presidential election is held.

The eight resolutions adopted at the party’s convention were read out by its assistant secretary, the Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gamanpilla. These resolutions call for the removal of the Executive President’s power to appoint Supreme Court judges and Court of Appeal judges, to set out in the Constitution the ministries that can be held by the president, to bring in legislation to safeguard Buddhism, and to resettle the Sinhalese who were displaced from the North and the East during the conflict, in conformity with the population ratios in the 1971 census.

It also proposed that the number of deputy ministers should be reduced to 35 and that the president should be made answerable to parliament, that a system of voting that is a meld of the proportional representation system and the first-past-the-post system should be introduced for all elections, that non-career diplomats in the foreign service should comprise only 35 percent of the total, and that those too be appointed in accordance with specified criteria.

Regarding the legal sector, it said a uniform legal system should be applied to the entire country instead of there being different laws for different ethnicities.
It also resolved that prostitution, liquor, casinos, other forms of gambling and “other immoral activities” be banned by law.

JHU secretary, Technology and Research Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the Sinhalese nationalist forces would be a decisive factor at the next presidential election.

Mr. Ranawaka said the country could not be said to be free of separatists until the Sinhalese who were in the North and the East in the 1970s were resettled in the areas they occupied prior to the conflict.

He urged the government to reduce the powers of the provincial councils so that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would be prevented from using the PC powers to fulfil its separatist aspirations.

He faulted the present regime for having held the Northern Provincial Council election without reducing the powers of the provincial councils.

Elaborating on the JHU’s present position, he said his party had taken a bold step to point out the shortcomings of this government without running away from them. “We are not like the 25 UPFA MPs who were waiting to cross over in 2005 had Mahinda Rajapaksa lost the presidential election, and not like those who were waiting to cross over in 2007. We will not run away from the government but will fearlessly point out its shortcomings,” he said.

JHU chairman, the Venerable Atureliye Ratana Thera expressed the same sentiments and said it would be possible to bring about vast changes in this country if the nationalist forces acted together. He said JHU had many options at the next presidential elections including the option to field a third candidate.(Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 29

Upul Monday, 20 October 2014 03:10 PM

These proposals made by Ven Sobhitha thero. JHU overpowered and grab these proposals from Sobhtha Thero. Now JHU carry these agenda.for their political gain. During the past, JHU at last will go behind in order to strengthen the Hands of Mahinda. We could see how WW did. JHU also one day follow the same. These people are foxes.

Suq Madique Tuesday, 21 October 2014 08:37 AM

These good intentions are only election gundus and when they are not in power.

mack Tuesday, 21 October 2014 08:33 AM

I dont agree with their racist politics but those proposals are whats SL needs via DM Android App

Hantley Babapulle Tuesday, 21 October 2014 08:02 AM

JHU will go to see the pres. The pres will say ok I will do everything you say BUT after the election now help me win again as an act of charity for saving this cursed country AND after that no one will get anything except the pres and his IMMEDIATE FAMILY.God bless you all.

npj Tuesday, 21 October 2014 07:53 AM

Someone will promise. Will not delivered it after getting selected. JHU knows it. MR knows it. People knows it.

raspi Tuesday, 21 October 2014 07:48 AM

The only thing I want to know is why now after all these years?

C.K.Lankaputhra Tuesday, 21 October 2014 07:47 AM

Yes can be agreed until election is over and power comes to their hand. Then only the dance start.

dulan Tuesday, 21 October 2014 07:29 AM

First proposal should be that Monks should not be in politics in jobs and in business destroying the remains of Buddhism in the island

Ram Tuesday, 21 October 2014 05:00 AM

Where was this voice in the recent past. Now singing to find an excuse to leave the government

Henry Tuesday, 21 October 2014 04:50 AM

Looks you are allergic to saffron robes while you are silent when black/white robes are behind the Diaspora with RW in lobbying on proscription of LTTE by EU-ROPE. What a shame!

Freebird Monday, 20 October 2014 10:17 PM

They will say something and do something.It is politics and poly tricks via DM Android App

Manu Monday, 20 October 2014 10:08 PM

JHU wake up now only. They were in the same cabinet from beginning. These are only election stories. Why they did not came up with this proposals early.

MalithK Monday, 20 October 2014 08:58 PM

Yes, but one of the cabinet ministers in JHU said he is going to do every thing in his power to abolish this presidency but after he was given a Ministerial position he completely changed his tune. Nothing in this country can be trusted now. All these people who are talking abolishing the Presidency is aiming at getting there and sitting their forever. This is the truth. But on the other hand we would have not won the war with the barbarians, if not for the Executive Presidents powers. Until LTTE is completely dead in our country and abroad, we should have this powers to the President.

Porr Man Monday, 20 October 2014 05:04 PM

I think JHU made the right resolution. I hope they stick to this point. Knowing our President he will attempt to buy them out for a price. Let us wait and see.

macapagal Monday, 20 October 2014 04:40 PM

JHU must practice what they preach. they are a miserable lot trying to come into power with these last minute proposals. People cannot be fooled any more by them.

Gamini Monday, 20 October 2014 08:23 AM

Being a Christian I state that the resolutions are sensible.

thilak Monday, 20 October 2014 03:06 PM

now JHU unpopular among voters, try to regain the past and try to uplift MR image

paul seram Monday, 20 October 2014 02:44 PM

First of all jathika helaurumaya can giveup there cabinet posts , and show others to do so , why did you wait until last minutes presidential election

jeewan Monday, 20 October 2014 02:01 PM

Patali Champika should voluntarily resign and set an example.Buddhist priest should refrain from doing politics and becoming MPs

Hamden Monday, 20 October 2014 11:49 AM

Only baila for Election time.

Rednaxela Monday, 20 October 2014 11:47 AM

Is it another No Action Talk Only Show?

Joesph Monday, 20 October 2014 11:42 AM

Point well taken. You are not going to leave the government. So why take these remarks seriously?

kumudu Monday, 20 October 2014 11:23 AM

Its not difficult to say Yes for any candidate. I can but when come to power its deferent. JHU knows. Ha!

babanis Monday, 20 October 2014 11:21 AM

After a long time, shortening sansara.

upali Monday, 20 October 2014 10:30 AM

NATO-No Action Talking Only

ANTON Monday, 20 October 2014 10:13 AM

YEP, FIRST REMOVE THE MONKS FROM POLITICS..........

kithudugama Monday, 20 October 2014 09:12 AM

J H U are the biggest Kaiwaruwas in the country.Talk something ans go behind licking again with the tail behind the legs !!!

Francis Monday, 20 October 2014 08:59 AM

Excellent and very sensible set of recommendations.

Shan Monday, 20 October 2014 08:39 AM

Very well said. Country before personal gains.

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JHU wants Cabinet reduced to 25

Comments - 29

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