Fresh hurdles in the way of 22A

4 October 2022 08:27 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Fresh hurdles have emerged in the way of the enactment of 22nd Amendment to the Constitution after Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which commands the majority support in Parliament objected to it in its present form, Daily Mirror learns .

The bill which is listed for debate in Parliament today and tomorrow was taken up for discussion at the parliamentary group meeting of the government on Monday evening. It seeks to reduce powers of the president to be vested with Parliament.

The ruling SLPP MPs expressed their opposition to the bill in the current format.

Asked for a comment, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam told Daily Mirror yesterday that his party had taken a consistent position that powers of executive presidency should be pruned only in a manner that protects the unitary character of the Constitution.

Otherwise, he said the Constitution should not be amended in an ad hoc manner.

“After the enactment of the 13th Amendment, the unitary nature of the country remains protected because of executive presidency with full authority. Therefore, the amendment of executive presidency has a bearing on the unitary character. We should look at overall changes to the Constitution rather than amending it in a piecemeal manner,” he said.

However, he also said his party is not opposed to empowering Parliament.

SLPP MP S. B. Dissanayake said executive presidential powers are needed today to maintain stability and revive economy at this juncture.

“In 1988/89, the JVP unleashed terrific violence. With a warning on a small piece of paper, the JVP could ensure the closure of shops and doors of houses. The members of the police and the armoured forces were warned that their family members would be slaughtered unless they resigned from service. Then President R. Premadasa quelled the rebellion by killing more than 60,000 insurgents. Executive powers were helpful for him to bring back normalcy. Then, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa militarily crushed the LTTE, the most ruthless terrorist outfit, using executive powers," he said.

He said the country risks the resurgence of similar violence with parties such as the JVP and the Frontline Socialist Party trying to create anarchy and therefore executive powers are needed to deal with any possibility.

Mr. Dissanayake said only authoritarian rulers had developed their countries in recent history. He cited examples from Singapore, China and South Korea to drive home his point. (Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 9

johan Tuesday, 04 October 2022 09:00 PM

SL is witnessing 22 amendments to its constitution out of 74years of its independence.Time to time drafting the constitution and making amendments should be stopped forthwith.Permanent constitution should be drafted similar to 19A and approved by Mahajana Council which should consist Professionals,Bar Assn.Civil/Youth activists. MPs should not be given this responsiblity as most of them are half educated and they play games for privileges and large sums of bribe, according to whims and fancies of their political leaders and approve without foreseeing its repercussions.This is one of the main reason the country has gone to anarchy

Gb Tuesday, 04 October 2022 09:00 PM

Slpp clowns, they are responsible for the mess we are in, if they have any decency they should resign, bunch of clowns

Peace Tuesday, 04 October 2022 09:05 PM

The best way is to dissolve parliament and go for fresh elections. The policies of those who are contesting should be publicised.

Moh Sleiman Wednesday, 05 October 2022 05:29 AM

First thing to be done,is get rid of the damn Rajapakshas,Even without powers they are still controlling the parliment,it is a bloody joke.

Kias Wednesday, 05 October 2022 06:11 AM

Make it similar to 19A with improvements no need to get rid off presidency make sure no amendments impedes in the unitary character of our state

Mizaru Wednesday, 05 October 2022 06:44 AM

The present constitution is flowed and needs to be changed. The preset constitution made way for a man who could not even his seat to end up as a executive president. What is now needed is a fresh mandate. Dissolve parliament and go for an election.

BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 05 October 2022 10:36 AM

Rajapakse's are still in control using those bastards now in Parliament.

Lankan for unity Wednesday, 05 October 2022 10:53 AM

Enough with the pointless 22A. Freedom of expression and protest is what really matters in the long run. But the MPs only want freedom for themselves and not rest of the 22 million living here. No way any good intentional body is going to bother with the details of this 22A, all along even in UN HCR it is the recent stomping of protest that's got attention.

Lankan for unity Wednesday, 05 October 2022 10:56 AM

@johan Even the US had the their first amendment as protecting free speech. Hoping for anything else, like trying to create new constitution is going to get all complaints from many sides. Easier to deal with the simple fundamental of free speech here, and then once achieved think of what's next.

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Fresh hurdles in the way of 22A

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