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Former presidents misused executive presidency: MR

14 November 2014 11:30 pm - 40     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A vociferous campaign is being carried out to abolish the executive presidency or to reduce its powers but no one said a word when the country was betrayed by using executive powers and when some 650 uniformed policemen were ordered to surrender to the LTTE at Kattanakudi, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.


He expressed these views at the ground breaking ceremony held at Galagedara to launch the Colombo–Kandy Expressway (CKE) yesterday. The President said the opposition was agitating for the abolition of the executive presidency because it had nothing else to say.


Explaining how former presidents misused the powers of the executive presidency, President Rajapaksa said the 1972 Constitution that made Sri Lanka a republic was hastily discarded and the executive presidency introduced in 1977.


“Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike took two years to draft and approve the 1972 Constitution. But it was scrapped and a new Constitution introduced in a short time. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution was introduced by getting the consent of parliamentarians under duress. They were brought to Colombo in helicopters and kept at five-star hotels to get their signature for the 13th Amendment.

 

That was how the Executive Presidential powers were used for personal agendas. Now they ask me to abolish the executive presidency which is hilarious and malicious,” the President said. “I appointed a Parliamentary Select Committee to look into political grievances because Parliament is the best forum to air the views of the people. The representatives of the people must know the ground realities of political and ethnic problems. We invited members to bring their grievances to the PSC and present their proposals.

 

There were suggestions to abolish the executive presidency by certain groups and another point of view was that there will be major problems if executive presidency was removed. You must not forget that the remnants of separatist terrorism and the LTTE ideology are still active though the LTTE was physically obliterated in Sri Lanka. These anti-national and anti-Sri Lankan elements are looking for an opportunity to pounce on Sri Lanka and to make this country their playground.”

 


The President said he had expressed his views on the 13th Amendment to foreign heads of state and to the UN. If the PSC decides that the executive presidency was not necessary, the government is ready to accept it. But we must carefully analyze what would happen to the 13th Amendment if and when the 13th Amendment was abolished.

 


“It has been proved more than once that weak and unsteady government would pave the way for revivalof terrorism and the disruption of the development drive launched by this government following the defeat of terrorism,” the President said.

 

 


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  Comments - 40

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  • Rohan G Saturday, 15 November 2014 08:32 PM

    The civil war wasn’t won by one president. It took many to pave the way for victory. Don’t forget Kadiragama and countless other who gave their lives to preserve the freedom. Imagine if LTTE wasn’t banded as a terrorist organization by the world… Who pave the way to that? And what did MR said to JR back then? Is he forgetting? What I see now is rape of the country by a family, their thugs and uneducated goonies. Stand tall and ask for abolishment of executive presidency.

    C.K.Lankaputhra Saturday, 15 November 2014 12:58 PM

    Captain Mister MISUSE is saying so. Hah, hah haa. Hooh hooh, hoo.

    tony Saturday, 15 November 2014 12:59 PM

    PAST PRESIDENTS MISUSED POWERS OF EX PRES. YOU ARE OUTDOING THEM. WELL DONE

    gamini Saturday, 15 November 2014 01:11 PM

    Before coming and going there are tsunamis. Thats what all can villagers understand. via DM Android App

    TONY Saturday, 15 November 2014 01:16 PM

    MR PRESIDENT DONT BLAME OTHERS. YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED MAJORITY WHO WILL VOTE FOR ANY RESOLUTION YOU PUT FORWARD TO PASS AMENDMENTS. IF THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION IS NOT GOOD WHY DID YOU NOT MAKE THE CHANGES, LIKE YOU BROUGHT IN THE 18TH AMENDMENT FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT.

    Gamini Saturday, 15 November 2014 01:37 PM

    Dear President, do you remember you requested "God Katharagama" to help you to abolish it. Now what the God would be thinking?

    Blessing Saturday, 15 November 2014 01:43 PM

    Your "holier than thou" speech will not work this time

    iemerald Saturday, 15 November 2014 01:46 PM

    WHAT A JOKE. CALLING THE POT BLACK. AS IF HE IS NOT MISUSING AND ABUSING THE PRESIDENCY. CREATING AN UNAFFORDABLE MEGA CABINET TO BRIBE THESE CORRUPT POLITICIANS TO STAY ON TOP OF POWER IS THE BIGGEST ABUSE.

    jay Saturday, 15 November 2014 02:01 PM

    so now he can see that cbk will take a big potion of his votes so now mr is trying to say shit. via DM Android App

    Freebird Saturday, 15 November 2014 02:49 PM

    If they misuse why cant I repeat. Am l wrong my citizens via DM Android App

    geeth Saturday, 15 November 2014 12:51 PM

    Man certainly thinks the public who listen are fools !

    Jeya Saturday, 15 November 2014 09:19 PM

    No more arguments or rally etc. please have referendum whether people like to have more powerful executive presidents.

    Pandithaya Saturday, 15 November 2014 09:32 PM

    Dear police officers, before executing any orders of any President of Sri Lanka, think 3 times!

    kevin Sunday, 16 November 2014 02:53 AM

    Remember, you were elected to correct the mistakes not to do more mistakes

    JJ Sunday, 16 November 2014 06:26 AM

    Amen!

    Uncle Sam Sunday, 16 November 2014 06:44 AM

    I got to have a laugh.How can you justify the fact that a mass murderer is now a cabinet minister. Sadly the average voter is taken for a ride race and every time.We Sri Lankans have short memories. via DM Android App

    karu Sunday, 16 November 2014 08:16 AM

    You r perfectly correct. What was required to beat LTTE was superior fire power and a favorable world opinion. Lakshman Kadirgamar laid the .foundation.People of this country cannot afford to give a blank cheque for this achievement

    nimal Sunday, 16 November 2014 10:53 AM

    i doubt you even know what is executive presidency means :Dlols....

    nimal Sunday, 16 November 2014 10:54 AM

    yes they were..when did you born?...2000?..

    Ihale Sunday, 16 November 2014 01:58 PM

    No issue sir You have made Foolish Audience who respect and expect for any thing that you preach. We will believe that you have done nothing wrongly. via DM Android App

    Sena Saturday, 15 November 2014 11:23 AM

    Then why you included your manifesto in 2005 and 2010 knowingly the importance of the Presidency to abolish the same

    bababoo Saturday, 15 November 2014 10:02 AM

    Past presidents where not rogues

    krishna Saturday, 15 November 2014 10:20 AM

    Ha,ha,ha are he mad or i mad.

    Nevil Wanni Saturday, 15 November 2014 10:36 AM

    Im a baby..i dont spend 20 million for me and for my babiesthis is baila by you via DM Android App

    LANKONIS Saturday, 15 November 2014 10:38 AM

    Sir, if the former President abusing the executive powers ordered the 650 Policemen to surrender, do you justify his action by appointing the Tiger Bigwig who killed them all in one-shot, in cold blood, by appointing him as a Minister in your Govt. and providing all perks and privileges??

    Azi Saturday, 15 November 2014 10:45 AM

    Yes sir Can blame each other but people are worried about your family involvement law and order wast of public money leads to sky rocketing cost of living etc. via DM Android App

    Kuriosity Saturday, 15 November 2014 10:50 AM

    Ha ha this is the pot calling the kettle black

    sada Saturday, 15 November 2014 10:55 AM

    Sorry, our president cannot continue it not for LTTE

    Madlin Saturday, 15 November 2014 11:02 AM

    So I am also doing it. Super excuse via DM Android App

    gobbaya Saturday, 15 November 2014 11:15 AM

    someones feeling the heat... via DM Android App

    CHANDRASOMA Saturday, 15 November 2014 09:54 AM

    IMMEDIATELY HAVE A REFERENDUM WEATHER TO ABOLISH OR NOT, IMPORTANT THAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

    Eranga Saturday, 15 November 2014 11:34 AM

    Well said man, I cannot ascertain from which end I must laugh.

    dutugemun1 Saturday, 15 November 2014 11:36 AM

    not a word about hastily introduced 18th amendment .

    Waco Saturday, 15 November 2014 11:37 AM

    In Sri Lanka, Executive Presidency MUST remain for ever.But do ot mis-use the powers.

    ranjith Saturday, 15 November 2014 11:51 AM

    Well said president. They have no any other slogan to go to people

    Mason Saturday, 15 November 2014 12:06 PM

    You yourself said that you would abolish the executive presidency, but did not keep up to your word. Please step down, before you and your family sell the country to the Chinese.

    mack Saturday, 15 November 2014 12:05 PM

    And you did what via DM Android App

    lookat his-hand Saturday, 15 November 2014 12:22 PM

    look at king;s hand , king is holding powerful magic balaya to attrack the people

    Dili Saturday, 15 November 2014 12:28 PM

    U went Pada yatthra to abolish it n u forgotten u r own slogan. since u have the executive power y not u punish the those reveled by COPE? y ur protecting those robbers who swindled innocent ppls tax payers money.. whats the use of having executive power? this wont do any good for the country... Sri lanka became the play ground of those uneducated ministers. yes u did finish the war n we respect for u but after that ruined our lovely country. u build roads harbor n a airport but whats the use if poor ppl still struggling to eat three meals??

    frank Saturday, 15 November 2014 12:35 PM

    Ha ha where is that fellow who killed 650 policmen what s joke


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