19A: Passage in the balance

18 April 2015 04:24 am - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The much-awaited passage of the 19th Amendment in Parliament next Tuesday (21) hung in the balance with the opposition expressing fears of new amendments being introduced at the committee stage of the debate and insisting that the 19th Amendment and electoral reforms should be approved simultaneously.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) reiterated its position yesterday that both constitutional and electoral reforms should be enacted together and as such the vote on the 19th Amendment should be put off after its debated on April 21.

SLFP MP G.L. Peiris told Daily Mirror that his party had consistently expressed this stance and reiterated it at the party leaders’ meeting.
He said his party sought the Speaker's intervention to make sure that the government would not try to incorporate the provisions requiring a referendum into the constitutional amendments during the committee stage.

Mr. Peiris said the provisions requiring a referendum would negate the SC ruling if such provisions were introduced during the committee stage.
He said the SLFP would not allow the Constitution to be flouted.

The party leaders’ meeting presided by Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody was attended by the UNP and the opposition parties. It ended without a decision being taken on the matter.

Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) Leader Tissa Vitharana told Daily Mirror that all opposition parties except the TNA opposed the passing of the 19th Amendment in its present form at the committee stage and added that if the government was not ready to compromise, the UPFA would not support it.

“The government position was that all changes as determined by the Supreme Court ruling had to be incorporated in the 19th Amendment at the committee stage and passed with a simple majority. But we opposed it and said we want a new draft in line with the Supreme Court determination. We want it gazetted and SC approval obtained if we are to support it,” Prof. Vitharana said.

He stressed the need to come out of this impasse and told Daily Mirror that the UPFA expected to meet President Maithripala Sirisena on the weekend and sort out this matter amicably and pave the way for the debate and approval on April 20 and 21.

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Comments - 27

Bala Saturday, 18 April 2015 12:35 PM

That is if we had a patriotic media. The Media has its own agenda like the MPs who are there to feather their nests and not care about the country or voters.

Pon Lanka Sunday, 19 April 2015 01:20 AM

All these messes could be easily solved by bringing an age limit of 70 years to members of parliaments so that unwanted seniors could be replaced with talented youngsters.

Donkey Sunday, 19 April 2015 12:40 AM

When MR and his family was running the country nobody raised any question. MR simply passed what ever he wants. Now we have a democratic government and this man GL is making issues. Forget about him.

BV Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:37 PM

DEAR SIR PLEASE DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT IMMEDIATELY AND HOLD ELECTIONS .WILL SEND ALL THESE DONKEYS HOME . via DM Android App

Jagath Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:49 PM

What to listen to this public rejected people? Dissolve the parliament and allow to decide to the public.

Jayasingha Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:34 PM

Then have the election after the 20th amendment is passed.

Richard Saturday, 18 April 2015 09:37 PM

Yeah.Dissolve parliament and lets show these Mara thugsthe peoples power.

Kalu Saturday, 18 April 2015 08:07 PM

It seems some folks are jittery as their game plan to have a executive PM is check mated and the new electoral system will make it difficult for un popular politicians from any party (big or small past or present) to be elected. Let the people rethink about their decision and decide on the outcome of the next election after evaluating the performance of the incumbent government and loyalty of some members who accepted positions betraying the parties they represented.

REALPATRIAT Saturday, 18 April 2015 06:11 PM

THE OPPOSITION IS MARKING TIME GIVINSOMANY REASONSTH ESE ARE THE PUPPETS WHO WERE DUMB WHEN EX CHIEF JUSTICE WAS REMOVED . via DM Android App

Ganesha Saturday, 18 April 2015 04:06 PM

Why the president has to worry over what although he came to power promising the people to marginalize the unlimited powers of current presidency ?This is a very good opportunity to showcase who the traitors are for their own well being rather than the country by dissolving parliament without giving nominations to Rajapaksa clan. Otherwise trouble with gullible modoyos

Tiger Saturday, 18 April 2015 02:05 PM

Those Goons who were able raise their hands for 18th amendments to Dictator MR to be in power until he dies. But now those Goons talking Bullshit. Especially Mr.PhD who were the care taker for Namal Baby. what a Freeeking Joke..

Raalahami Saturday, 18 April 2015 01:56 PM

Did GL raise any objections when MR agreed to give 20 odd hectares of the new port city land to the Chinese on a free hold basis ?

de silva Saturday, 18 April 2015 01:19 PM

These politicians who are playing a game should be dealt with in the next election.They are the opportunists.

DaluBanda Saturday, 18 April 2015 01:14 PM

Dear President, In fact, if the present parliamentarian disagreeable to changes to reduce the Presidential Power or they are confused or misled, please forget about the constitutional amendments and keep the power with you. Dissolve the parliament and have fresh election and appoint a new government and rule the country well in strong hand . Do good work, stop corruption, complete all the on-going and proposed irrigation works, drinking water, bring food security, safe water, import reductions and employments. Start new infrastructure, Road to Kandy, solve Colombo Traffic, new schools for children and most importantly, solve the present problem with China.

n.patkunam Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:24 AM

This seems to be a political plot by the group that supported Rajapakse during presidential poll. The best Way For The PRESIDENT Is To dissolve parliament IMMEDIATELY And Go For Polls So That people Can Decide whether It SHOULD Be a Strong president Or Strong parliament

Somaweera Saturday, 18 April 2015 12:18 PM

Some self seeking goons of the big crook is trying to bring back the DESPOT.

Sri Lankan Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:51 AM

Yet another confirmation that this Government has failed in its communication strategy. The news headlines this morning should have been "GL against 19th Amendment" or "Opposition does not want changes to Executive Presidency"....

Premalal Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:51 AM

The bunch of crooks fighting to stay out of jail. They need a dictator with unlimited power to protect them. These are the vermin who lifted their hands for the 18th amendment in just one day. Now they cry for the common man. Bloody hypocrites. Must be voted out.

jamalji Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:51 AM

If election is held under 20th amendment, Wimal and his comrades would not gain entry into parliament. SLFP should not accommodate any splinter parties.

dayana Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:42 AM

Rajitha, GL, Champika even Rathana hamuduruwo voted for 18 without uttering a word. That is the leadership of MR. President should learn to control any one opposing the fulfilling of his election promises. Anyway let them to oppose and come to face elections. We will take care.

Mason Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:40 AM

This seems to be an unreasonable request and smells of undercurrents originating from the defeated camp.The best course of action to overcome this impasse is to dissolve parliament forthwith. The squabblers can do without their pensions, after all they would have earned enough as one in the MR camp said before elections.

Abdul Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:40 AM

Dissolve parliment and let the people to decide. The MPs who oppose the ammendments will be proved enemies of people of SL.

M. ASHRAFF NAZIM Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:43 AM

I totally agree with the above statement by Patkunam and let the people decide by casting their vote through ballot but not bullet

Gobson Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:36 AM

Do not allow this man GL Peiris who can twist his arguments both ways to stay in poltics to delay the constitutional amendements. Where were his arguments when MR rushed so many changes / contracts / projects without any discussion.

Appuhamy Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:31 AM

It should be obvious to everybody that these are simply delaying tactics by the opposition.

Gamaraala Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:29 AM

Disolve parliament and let the people of SL decide,,,

Sri Lankan Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:27 AM

Where was GL when MR rushed 18th Amendment ?

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19A: Passage in the balance

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