Not satisfied with UNP’s present conduct - JR’s grandson

20 October 2017 01:56 am - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While pledging to defeat the new proposed Constitution, the grandson of the first Executive President of Sri Lanka Pradip Jayawardena said he has decided to contest the upcoming local government polls from the SLFP because he is not satisfied with the United National Party (UNP) conduct.

Mr. Jayawardena said yesterday at a press briefing that his grandfather introduced the present Constitution because there was a credible reason to introduce it but said there was no such need to bring in a new constitution today.

When asked why he decided to contest from the SLFP not with the UNP, he said even the JR Jayawardena came into politics from the communist party in 1941.

“I have a problem understanding what the UNP is doing now, because the UNP is the inheritor of this Constitution and inheritor of the Presidential System. The UNP the one should be defending the President System. But today they try hard to break it,” he said.

Mr. Jayawardena who is the SLFP organizer for the Gampaha said he would contest for the Colombo Municipal Council in the upcoming local provincial election. When asked whether former President Mahinda Rajapaksa asked him to join the Joint Opposition, he said Mahinda Rajapaksa had requested him to contest from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna but said he would contest under the SLFP.

Defending the Executive Presidential system, Mr. Jayawardene said that there is a myth amongst some people that late JR introduced the 1978 constitution to enjoy excessive powers himself. “The truth is that JR first proposed and called upon for the creation of an Executive in 1966 in the best interest of Sri Lanka. His nother attempt was in 1971 at the Constituent Assembly created by Sirimavo Bandaranayake.

He said if the late JR’s proposal was adopted in 1971, Ms. Bandaranayake would have become the first Executive President of Sri Lanka and not his grandfather.

Commenting on the draft new Constitution proposals which are now out in the open Mr. Pradip Jayawadene says it is quite clear that the clauses relating to unitary state and Buddhism are being tampered with. “Though we are told nothing will be changed, we must ask the question, if there is no change why touch them at all? If we make the so-called changes, where would they lead us to?” asks Mr. Jayawardene.

“What is the basis and what are we trying to archive from the new Constitution. In 1972, we wanted to create a republic. In 1978, we wanted to change the Parliament system and the presidential system. Whether it was good or bad, it was reasonable. What is the reason of a new Constitution?” he queried.

“In 1995, former President Chandrika Bandaranayake sought to convert Sri Lanka in to a federal state proposing our country to be redefined as a Union of Regions. This is Federalism. In 1995, JR who was in retirement, read the entire proposal and the same morning called Ranil Wickramasinge, leader of the UNP and then Leader of the Opposition and asked him to immediately oppose the proposed Federal package.

Today we are playing with the Constitution again. The interim report of the steering committee wants to remove the word 'Unitary' and replace it with the Sinhala word ‘Ekeeya Rajyaya’ and the Tamil word ‘Orumiththa Naadu’.

“It is also proposed that the Presidential system is abolished. We have already devolved power to the provinces through the 13th Amendment. The President and his representative, the Governor, is the only safeguard we have against secession. As we all know Varatharaja Prerumal already tried it once and failed because of the Executive Presidency.

It is now too late to abolish the Executive Presidency. If we abolish it and centre's executive power around the PM, the executive would no longer be independent and comes under pressure of party politics. We know that MPs can be swayed due to many influences. They can then threaten the PM as his survival is dependent on them” he said. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

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Comments - 33

ANTON Friday, 20 October 2017 08:15 AM

PRESENT CONDUCT OF UNP OR YOUR UNCLE BEAN ?

Yahiya Friday, 20 October 2017 08:36 AM

People got the option to weight the JR with younger generations.

malik Friday, 20 October 2017 11:40 AM

Even JR came to politics via communist party, That's Because there was not a UNP or SLFP back then. Another person using his family achievements to gain. This man is stick in the 80's. The coconut has fallen into the sea.

Jaffna Man Friday, 20 October 2017 08:36 AM

This is exactly thirty years to the month Indian Army brought to Sri Lanka by your grand father raped and killed thousands of Tamil civilians in the North and East of Sri Lanka.He was the worst leader in Sri Lanka from the Tamil perspective.

gonTA Friday, 20 October 2017 12:38 PM

We cannot blame you in other words you say MR is better than the worst, if u r a real Jaffna man.

Mano Friday, 20 October 2017 03:29 PM

I remember as a twelve year old boy in Jaffna,the horror of the Indian Army.

Aba Friday, 20 October 2017 08:44 AM

It would have been much more appropriate had he joined Joint Opposition and contest. Then he is sure to win very easily!

Stupid Friday, 20 October 2017 08:50 AM

your grand father JR enjoyed the maximum power through his EXECUTIVE PRESIDENCY. This country suffered by this.

dulan Friday, 20 October 2017 08:51 AM

Another one cashing on the family name

Kadiya Friday, 20 October 2017 06:35 PM

A worm coming out for a bit of sun!

Lakshman De Silva Friday, 20 October 2017 08:53 AM

Fartmily bandism! Why are there no educated and capable men and women who can become members of parliament?Father to son, son to grand son politics. Both SLFP and the UNP are defunct parties. Pradeep is also a Marijuana smoker and he is a pilot thanks to his Grand father who made him a pilot in Airlanka and in Ganja stupors he over ran the runway in Bankok airport causing a danger to the passengers.

lal Friday, 20 October 2017 02:31 PM

to laxman,this guy is hidden character to srilankans though he is grand son of JR,now he is expecting to come to srilankan politics,so people may happy to know more of him

Machan Wednesday, 25 October 2017 08:59 AM

You've got that wrong ! Pradeep is NOT a pilot.

Jamis Banda Friday, 20 October 2017 09:00 AM

Are you satisfied with the conduct of Ali Baba and forty thieves?

Ravi De Silva Friday, 20 October 2017 09:14 AM

Look at the dashing picture of this punk oozing with non-existing privilege and entitlement.

Royal Boy Friday, 20 October 2017 09:19 AM

You are correct Sir..The country need leaders of your caliber..RK and RW are looting the country..please HELP..!!

udaya Friday, 20 October 2017 02:21 PM

Don't forget, both RK and RW are "royal boys" too

ceylon Friday, 20 October 2017 09:36 AM

realy un fortunate person.sympathy for him.he doesnt know unp and he doesnt know slfp. via DM Android App

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 20 October 2017 09:39 AM

During your grandfathers governance, many inhuman activities took place (a) 1977 riots (b) 1983 riots (d) commenced the 30 year ethnic war using only Sinhalese troops and classifying every Tamil as a potential terrorist. Are u proud of that humbug?

gonTA Friday, 20 October 2017 12:42 PM

What actually sparks that the LTTE was not from that potential strata?

Thanos Friday, 20 October 2017 10:05 AM

Were you satisfied when your grandfather butchered all those Tamils in 1983?

Alston Friday, 20 October 2017 11:44 AM

Your grandfather JR is the person ruined the country. Are you talking with his influence?

sach Friday, 20 October 2017 09:24 PM

JR has both minuses and pluses...but the only leader who did only the bad was RANIL

nick Friday, 20 October 2017 12:58 PM

Please stay out of this junk of politics ur fathers name will also ruin if u enter this banana politics via DM Android App

sanjeeva Friday, 20 October 2017 01:15 PM

Good to have a hybrid sri lankan - Pradip is half sinhalese and half tamil (Mother Charmaine Vanderkone).

tilak Friday, 20 October 2017 04:08 PM

Dynastic politics, like Rahul of India-sure to be a total failure

vithura Friday, 20 October 2017 04:31 PM

Those who remember his march to Kandy would know how JR exploited racist politics of Sri Lanka and the constitution he introduced was a product of this ideology which brought about untold misery and suffering to all citizens of this country. Only bankrupt politicians would want to go back to the bad old ways!

ceylon Friday, 20 October 2017 04:53 PM

jr was not satisfied unps conduct during early 70s but he never resign and jumped to another party.this chap is politicaly allready bankrupt. via DM Android App

idroos2002 Friday, 20 October 2017 05:24 PM

Its the male blood that matters

ranmala Friday, 20 October 2017 10:06 PM

Want to join another bunch of crooks. Think wisely. There are many more options

Kanthi Friday, 20 October 2017 11:38 PM

This family politics in SL must end!!!

Upali Wickramamsinghe Saturday, 21 October 2017 12:06 AM

Your grandfather was the cause of this country's ruination. What ever he touched he ruined.It is unfortunate that the people of Kelaniya could not throw him into the river and allowed him to move to Colombo West.may he rot in ten hells.

DISGUSTED CITIZEN Wednesday, 25 October 2017 01:43 PM

Whatever said or done, contesting on the SLFP ticket is a disgrace to the Jayawardana clan !!

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Not satisfied with UNP’s present conduct - JR’s grandson

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