Time to begin work on 20A: JHU

29 April 2015 04:19 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said today the JHU’s mission to get the 19th Amendment approved in parliament was achieved and it would soon start the next mission to introduce the electoral reforms by way of the 20th Amendment.

He told a news conference that despite many allegations levelled against the JHU it did not give up its unwavering commitment resulted in the 19A being approved with the support of all parties in parliament.

“When I spoke on the 19A, everybody pointed fingers at me. Some said I was trying to be President. All we wanted to do the best for the country,” the minister said.

He said the time had come to implement the 19th Amendment which was passed by a two-thirds majority.

“We tried to do this with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. We submitted our proposals to amend the Constitution. But, he rejected our proposals and called for snap elections. That was why we quit the the then Government,” the minister said.

The JHU thanked President Maithripala Sirisena whom they said was the only president who kept his promise to remove the arbitrary powers vested in the executive presidency though many former presidents mentioned it in their election manifestoes but were not strong enough to fulfil their promises.

JHU National Organiser Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said the country was on a better footing and requested all the political parties to join together with the President to support him.

He said the arguments for and against the amendment in Parliament must stop now and the parliamentarians must pay attention to other burning problems in the country. (Piyumi Fonseka)

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Comments - 18

sss Thursday, 30 April 2015 10:47 AM

As an engineer how about you working on establishing a knowledge based economy so that we can see some benefits from our 80 year old investment in higher education

Prem Nath Friday, 01 May 2015 11:01 AM

This amendments and more could have been done during the previous regime,had not the then and now ministers in both governments rebelled against MR insted of leaning and touting him for the sake of greasing their palms only for their benefits.

Saji Thursday, 30 April 2015 06:46 PM

JVP and minority parties will never allow the 20th amendment to pass. So called civil society will also be silent over this.

Nish Thursday, 30 April 2015 06:45 PM

oops south africa is failed state now while singapore is a first world country. will we also end up like south africa?

Ravi Thursday, 30 April 2015 06:28 PM

Champika cannot win a single seat if he contested under his own party. Empty vessels make more sound.This guy is trying to block muslim congress and southern tamil entering into parliament.

Ranjith Thursday, 30 April 2015 05:23 PM

What the JHU and its leaders should realise from the sequence of events that took place during the past 6 months is that the voters are much more clever than what politicians think of them. MR and close allies could not properlly read the minds of the voter especially the youth. People wanted to defeat LTTE militarily as the first priority and for that purpose they got Mahinda appointed for the job. As their priority thereafter, the people wanted re-establishment of Democratic Values, Communal Harmony, Rule of Law and Good Governance. For which purpose they place their trust in MY3 and he is fulfilling his promises. My advise to leaders of JHU and all other political party leaders is to respect people and take their wishes and aspirations more seriously without sticking to party agendas and unite with progressive parties a seen during the recent past for common good. Ranjith

Senapathy Thursday, 30 April 2015 02:56 PM

Please support JHU and MR and make every srilankans born in the beautiful island are equal in all means.

Perumal Thursday, 30 April 2015 01:07 PM

Maithree is our Nelson Mandella!!

wong Thursday, 30 April 2015 10:48 AM

hey so many amendments.... just introduce a new constitution....

dp Wednesday, 29 April 2015 11:58 PM

No Mr. Still have plenty of time to begin work. you can start your own work now.

Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 30 April 2015 09:45 AM

Another father of success, and rightly so. High time he fathers another son of an amendment.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 30 April 2015 09:42 AM

"The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said, they reject completely the draft of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which was printed on the night of 15 March and dated 13 March"bloody crooks and liars, trying to gain popularity now.

Man Thursday, 30 April 2015 09:06 AM

This preferential system is the best and the present number of MPs is ideal as the Public cannot bear the cost of 225, also. Canvassing for their candidature must be banned and jailed if breached by anyone preventing them voting, a few more elections and make the laws strict to be fair by every candidate. Study the JVP campaigns, which is very fair by all their candidates.

DJ Thursday, 30 April 2015 08:36 AM

Remember Patali and JHU that your not the only citizens of the country, other opinions count as well

navin Thursday, 30 April 2015 07:13 AM

Comedian

chux Thursday, 30 April 2015 06:15 AM

Why did you all support 18th amendment under MR and now says everything is happening because of JHU real rubbish

jeff Thursday, 30 April 2015 04:48 AM

This guy is a joker. He cannot win a single seat any where in SL. He will contester SLFP and win.

simon Thursday, 30 April 2015 04:06 AM

Besides passing amendments we need to focus on our economy which has been neglected !

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Time to begin work on 20A: JHU

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