Video: JHU unsure of itself on 19A: JVP

25 March 2015 11:15 am

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka should disclose whether he wanted demon like powers to remain with the Executive Presidency as the JHU was against the 19th Amendment.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said Minister Ranawaka’s argument was that the 19th Amendment would create the president powerless and that was why they were against the Amendment in its present form.  

“The main demand during the presidential election campaign was to abolish the Executive Presidency. Today, we have come close to pruning some of its powers but the JHU still wants the President to head the government, the state and the armed forces. It is uncertain whether it wants the president to proceed with excessive demon like powers like the way former President functioned,” Mr. Silva told a news conference at JVP Head Office in Pelawatta, Battaramulla.

He said Mr. Ranawaka had voted against the 17th Amendment but had voted in favour of the 18th Amendment without any hesitation. “The 18th Amendment was a blow to democracy. The latest constitutional reforms provide an opportunity to rectify previous mistakes,” he said.

Commenting on the expansion of the Cabinet with the appointment of 26 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) parliamentarians on Sunday, Mr. Silva said it seemed the government was following the footsteps of the previous government.  (Lahiru Pothmulla)


 

Video by Sanath Desmond