Passing 22A ‘great victory’ for those who value democracy: Karu Jayasuriya

21 October 2022 09:52 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Passing of the 22nd amendment to the Constitution was a victory for all citizens of Sri Lanka who value democracy, National Movement for Social Justice Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said today.

"We the National Movement for Social Justice would like to first and foremost thank all members of parliament as well as civil and political forces who continuously advocated for this constitutional reform," he said.

He said the parliament of Sri Lanka today passed the 22nd Amendment by revoking the 20th amendment to the constitution which had been adopted with the aim of converting the country to an autocratic authoritarian regime.

"We as an organization that vehemently opposed 20A when it was introduced to achieve the aspirations of the former President and even after it was adopted, we emphasize once again that we do not believe that the 22nd amendment is sufficient and the last decisive step to secure the country's democracy and protect the dignity and expectations of the people," a statement issued by the National Movement for Social Justice said.

"We consider this decision taken by Parliament today as an extremely vital interim constitutional reform that should have been implemented until a new constitution is adopted.

Accordingly, we consider this a significant achievement. The National Movement for Social Justice always stands unwaveringly for a new constitution that will bring dignity to the people and ensure the betterment of the country.

At this moment, we request all the political forces to be empowered by this achievement and take the lead in this task, of Strengthing democracy & taking the country for the well being of the people.

The National Movement for Social Justice will continuously take the lead in abolishing the executive presidency and eradicating large-scale corruption from the country," the statment added.

Comments - 25

No more one man show Friday, 21 October 2022 10:12 PM

Indeed its a great victory for the democracy of this country. We salute all those voted for this motion and saving the democracy of this beautiful island.

Pantha Kumaran Friday, 21 October 2022 10:31 PM

Srilanka belongs to not only to the majority Sinhala people but also to the minority Tamils and Muslims. People like Sarath Weerasekra, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gamanpulle have other ideas. They think Srilanka belongs to the majority namely Sinhala people only. Look at Singapore. Their success is multi culture country Today Srilanka is a failed state thanks to racists people who are in power.

Democratic Friday, 21 October 2022 10:35 PM

22nd amendment waste of time. We should have abolished the presidency. Parliament to have the democratic power. Having a President even as a figure head is waste of resources.

GHT Friday, 21 October 2022 11:10 PM

Mind it KARU the people of this country proved their Social Justice by REJECTING YOU ALL IN THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION, therefore, keep away from politics if you are really thinking of the PEOPLE's JUSTICE.

Aquarius Saturday, 22 October 2022 12:14 AM

This is a good result as the people needed to thwart the efforts of BR and his cohorts to keep the 20th amendment in their favour. However, two points: 1. All those holding dual citizenship in parliament should resign: 2. the 22nd amendment does not meet most of the criteria of a real democratic society with a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and heavy punishment for those involved in corruption or deals. Before we meet the UNHRC resolution agenda, we need a local mechanism to recover the looted money and punish all those responsible for bringing the country to the present state with their stupid policy decisions.

Lamk Saturday, 22 October 2022 01:21 AM

Don't give any seat to any dual citizenship holders .they ruined the country and they have looted the public fund and what more is they are not loyal to this nation rather they belong to their new nation where they got this citizenship

Mizaru Saturday, 22 October 2022 02:12 AM

This is just an icing on a basic butter cake. We want a rich cake with all the correct ingredients. This is can be only possible by going for a fresh mandate and a new constitution.

Spartacus Saturday, 22 October 2022 03:11 AM

Thank you IMF. Without you this good piece of legislation would never have become law.

lion Saturday, 22 October 2022 04:34 AM

With the little knowledge of the constitution we have,we believe only one good thing is achieved by this amendment as it prohibits the dual citizens to get in to the law making body. Besides that very fundamental facts which preserves the peoples aspersion ,rights are not embodied in these amendments. Changing parties by M.P s once get in to parliament should have been taken in to account. We have seen all these years how these corrupt MP s were persuaded to change parties for perks and privileges violating the fundamental democratic principal of governance. So this constitution must be fully changed.

Democrat Saturday, 22 October 2022 04:48 AM

Our constitution indicates a president can be removed from of office either by voluntary resigning, due to he is becoming insane or through an impeachment in the parliament. As we have seen recently a president who was force to resign through a peoples uprising has not been addressed in the present Constitution which paved the way to appoint the incumbent by 134 m p s in the parliament which is unholy and un democratic.To avoid this and establish democratic values a close should have been embodied in the Constitution to say in such an event, speaker should be allowed to asked to call the M P s in the parliament to form a care taker government and go for a presidential election after a 6 months.By doing this democracy could be preserved in this country.

Sambo Saturday, 22 October 2022 07:57 AM

Unfortunately is our politicians who do not value democracy while the public are thirsting for it.

Jude Saturday, 22 October 2022 08:57 AM

BS, democracy don't exist for the past 40 years in SL!! New amendment NOT have any bearing, nothing gonna change!! Under the this amendment dual citizen can't be MPs in SL, now if this amendment applies to all those dual citizen MP's!?? Are they going to be removed as MP's!?? I don't think so!!

Michael Saturday, 22 October 2022 09:08 AM

It was good to see all parties of the Opposition except for the JVP/NPP vote in favour of 22A (21). For the JVP/NPP policy it's " Nothing is better than Something" So it's no wonder that they have just 3 or 4 members in parliament. Their stubbornness / short-sightedness is to their detriment.

Roshan samarathunga Saturday, 22 October 2022 01:09 PM

Please don’t talk nonsense. Same cronies voted for previous president survival and now voted for unelected president survival. Real democracy is bringing educated young individuals to the parliament instead of bunch of cronies

Karalasingam Sivalingam Saturday, 22 October 2022 02:06 PM

Ranil should be praised for giving up many of his powers those who abstained and voted against should be defeated at the next election.

Kaputa Saturday, 22 October 2022 05:11 PM

Now Basil can't come back to SL Politics.Will he now stay back from coming back to SL to evade the Case he is involved in the SC.?

Samantha Hetti Saturday, 22 October 2022 06:19 PM

Go home Karu, as he is another who should be retired out. Disappointing that Ranil has elevated Karu so high! Anything Karu, or Ranil is associated is best not voted for ever in future elections.

suriya Saturday, 22 October 2022 07:10 PM

where is the true democracy when it does not include the a anti defection clause

ajantha Saturday, 22 October 2022 07:12 PM

GHT must be intoxicated with the royal families piss. Where did the voters prove their social justice? They only proved their racist ideologies by voting in a manic who ruined the lives of 22M people

Kumar Saturday, 22 October 2022 08:29 PM

This is like an old car with a new paint job. If every MP had to defend their own seats in an election, it would have been an improvement. Again, a losing candidate can become the prime minister or the president.

Zarook Cassim Saturday, 22 October 2022 10:14 PM

It is time we settle down that this nation belongs to all under one flag. Talkathon must stop and workothon must start. The presidential system must go! The parliamentary system should be back. The electoral system must go with the wind. We urgently need a people-friendly constitution, a meaningful sensible electoral system, where, transparency, accountability, meritocracy, and independent judiciary will reign supreme.

Ranjan Sunday, 23 October 2022 05:29 AM

It’s a part of the battle fought by the ARAGALAYA. And shall certainly keep fighting for our DEMOCRACY.

UMAS Sunday, 23 October 2022 03:59 PM

kiri bath to MR BASIL RAJAPAKSA

Anthony. R Sunday, 23 October 2022 05:56 PM

Politically Discarded Karu, please stay Away , trying to Strengthen the Arms of his fallen heros,M.R

Man Monday, 24 October 2022 09:37 AM

In 2006, he strengthened the hands of Mahinda along with another 18 MPs including Navin Dissanayake of the UNP and passed the 18th amendment. Now he is a sane with Navin. Asia's Miracle!

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Passing 22A ‘great victory’ for those who value democracy: Karu Jayasuriya

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