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Constitution not for personal agendas: Hakeem

19 December 2018 01:06 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The country's Constitution is not a document to be used or abused according to the whims and fancies of three people - President Maithirpala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem said yesterday.

He said this during an adjournment debate on the abolition of the Executive Presidency.

“The Constitution is a sacrosanct document on which is based on the administration of the country and cannot be used or abused according to the whims and fancies of three people. President Sirisena does not want the Executive Presidency abolished as he wants to cling to this post again while Prime Minister Wickremesinghe wants it removed because he is not used to irrational campaigns when it comes to a presidential election and not used to the emotional aspects of an election. This is because he appeals to the intelligentsia of the country. Mr. Rajapaksa wants to grab power and getting into serious difficulties because those around him are misleading and pushing him into taking wrong decisions,” Mr. Hakeem said.

He said other aspects of the Constitution should be looked into and suggested that the electoral system should be readdressed. “We prefer the proportional representation system. We were seriously affected by the local government elections under the new mixed system.

Mr. Hakeem said the interim report of the steering committee of the Constitutional Assembly should be discussed in February next year. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 10

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  • Appu Wednesday, 19 December 2018 01:25 AM

    You are right. Only in the third world, people make it

    Jude Wednesday, 19 December 2018 01:47 AM

    Hakeem, I hate to be the guy to tell you this!! It was precisely what JR wanted !! According to JR, only Limitation with this new constitution was " CAN'T make a Man a Woman and vice versa!! Otherthan that anything and everything is POSSIBLE !!! Huh !!!

    Moiez Wednesday, 19 December 2018 03:06 AM

    Well said Mr. Hakeem. Hope the President has learned his lesson now.

    Tamil Wednesday, 19 December 2018 03:56 AM

    You are talking big now but when the recent crisis started, unlike the TNA who stayed and put up a fight, you took other Muslim MPs and fled the country.

    Ibn Yusuf Thursday, 20 December 2018 11:03 AM

    As a committed Muslim we do not see eye to eye with most Muslim politicians. But in this instance Mr. Hakeem and Bathiudeen did the correct thing. They did not flee. for whatever weaknesses they may possess at the back of their mind their faith in their religion - Islam prompted them to perform the lesser pilgrimage in Makkah. For we Muslims are a faith based community and believe that when any crisis occurs one should turn to one's Creator firstly and then make efforts to solve issues. Once again Muslims should endorse what they did as correct in that situation

    xxx Wednesday, 19 December 2018 06:44 AM

    Now it is not a matter of the whims of MS or MR or RW. The whole country had seen enough of the presidency and wants to get rid of it.

    Chux Wednesday, 19 December 2018 07:15 AM

    Very true

    Citizen Independent Wednesday, 19 December 2018 08:02 AM

    Mr Hakeem you guys got agendas all the time tboughout the history. You and your party at least now drop those agendas and work towards a better Sri Lanka for everyone , better future for generations to come.

    elmi Wednesday, 19 December 2018 08:25 AM

    Look who's talking. Aren't you and haven't you been in this right throughout on a personal agenda. Never for even a friend or even a community or the country but just for you you

    Hautaum Wednesday, 19 December 2018 02:40 PM

    Sir, You are obviously Wiesel man and no doubt about it. But, your political caririer is not relavant as your statment. Ex, As you also supported to MR for third terms prez.


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