Protest-leading FSP, TNA discuss new Constitution

• In the new constitution, the executive presidency should be abolished

By Kelum Bandara  

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) which is at the forefront of the current protest wave held separate talks with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to engage them for support in Parliament against the arrests of youths in various parts of the country and to scrap the executive presidency, a party official said.  

FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jagoda told Daily Mirror his party favoured the total abolition of the executive presidency instead of pruning its powers in a piecemeal approach. He said he and his party’s General Secretary Kumar Gunaratnam attended the meetings.  

“We discussed the arrests of youths over the recent incidents and the need to abolish the executive presidency,” he said.  

TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran who participated in the meeting on behalf of his party said the need for the continuation of the violence-free struggle was discussed. He said the present changes in the government had been achieved as a result of the struggle, and it should be carried out without violence.  

He said the two parties discussed the need for constitutional changes that reflect the aspirations of Tamil people and are acceptable to all the communities, and it should be done in terms of the present Constitution and the institutional structure.  

“Otherwise, there will be anarchy in the country,” he said. The two sides took up the position that the new constitution should be referred to approval of the people by referendum  

“In the new constitution, the executive presidency should be abolished, and the Tamil national question addressed to the satisfaction of all,” he said.  

Besides, the FSP and the TNA discussed the importance of introducing a strong anti-corruption law providing for the recovery of stolen money, and holding those responsible to account. The two parties also exchanged views on human rights and accountability issues.  

The meeting with the SJB was attended by Kabir Hashim, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Eran Wickramaratne.