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Video: Give priority to 19A: Sobitha Thera tells MPs

19 Apr 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

It is ideal if we can simultaneously abolish the executive presidency and adopt a new electoral system but at the moment we should prioritise the enactment of 19th Amendment, National Movement for Social Justice Leader Ven.Maduluwawe SobithaThera said today.

He told a joint media conference all so attended by the People’s Movement for Noble Governance, an organization led by some members of the Catholic clergy that it would have beenwonderful if both these could be done together, but President Maithripala Sirisena never pledged to reform the executive presidency and the electoral system together.

Ven.Sobitha Thera said it would be better and timely to enact the 19th Amendment to the Constitution this week as planned and pointed out that the people would be greatly disappointed if the available opportunity was not made use.

“To delay enacting this vital piece of legislation will be a dangerous move because it willallow the incumbent president to use his executive powers while we will be in more troubleif the former president decides to contest the elections again,” he warned.

The Thera said the 19th Amendment could be a temporary measure while a new constitution was prepared by converting the Parliament into a constitutional council after the general election.

He said there was no need for a snap election because the present Parliament could continue till April 2016.

The Thera said the decision to dissolve the House after April 23 was taken so that MPs could enjoy their pension benefits and underscored the fact that the MPs could enact the 19th Amendment and enjoy their pensions as well.

“You can enjoy your pension benefitsbut fulfilthe aspirations of the people first,” he told the MPs. (Yohan Perera and Sanath Desmond)

Video by Sanath Desmond