JO shocked by Govt. enacting law to withhold PC Polls

When the Supreme Court determined that approval of people by referendum is needed to enact the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, the Joint Opposition believed that the govt would have no excuse to postpone the elections to three Provincial Councils - Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North Central. So, it remained complacent keeping their fingers crossed.   

However, its hopes were dashed when the govt found a way in a furtive manner to avoid elections this year by enacting legislation in a different form. The govt did so by incorporating fresh Amendments to the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Act that was laid before the House for a different purpose otherwise.   

The core of the Act was to provide for the increase of slots for woman candidates contesting the elections to the Provincial Councils. But, the govt brought in amendments during the committee stage of the debate on the Bill to provide for the revision of the electoral system along with the increase of quota for woman representation in nomination lists. That is to revert back to the mix of the Proportional Representation and the First Past the Post Systems. Normally, amendments are incorporated during the committee stage of any Bill, but they are always in line with the core of the original piece of legislation. That has been the practice right throughout in parliamentary history. 

• JO astonished by last minute action by govt.
• Govt. mustered two third through TNA, JVP
• Terms of three PCs to end on October 2
• BASL critical of ‘smuggled in amendments’
• LG polls due early January 2018
• Rishad draws criticism over objection to Mannar Wind Farm
• Amunugama, Patali in favour of wind power project

 The government deviated from this practice this time as it moved amendments totally against the fundamental features of the original draft of the Bill.   

The JO, which advocates elections as early as possible, was astonished by the last minute action by the govt.   

A two-thirds approval was needed to pass the Bill into Act in Parliament. The govt mustered it with the backing of two opposition parties - the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).   

Though the JO made a hue and cry about engineering split in the govt by luring ten members at least into its fold, it failed to do so. It was unable to deny two-thirds for the govt. It is also a defeat for the JO in that sense. The govt has lost two-thirds in its own. Yet, it enjoys the support of the TNA and the JVP at a crucial point, as proven during the vote on this Bill.   

By October 2, the terms of three PCs will end. Let alone, the Election Commission is not in a position to call for elections because the new Act is now in operation. Within days after its passage through in Parliament, the Speaker signed it into an Act.   

For the JO, it is a shock. However, the government’s action to smuggle in amendments in this manner during the committee stage has drawn criticism from Sri Lanka Bar Association. Its Chairman U. R.de Silva publicly said that the procedure, adopted went against the grain.   

Election Commission is not in a position to call for elections because the new Act is now in operation. Within days after its passage through in Parliament, the Speaker signed it into an Act

Alongside, it has created fear in the minds of those in the JO that the govt would attempt to enact the new Constitution in the same fashion.   

It all appeared that the government is not that keen to have any election right now. However, it openly spells out that the local authorities’ elections will be conducted early January next year. The political parties have already undertaken some form of preparatory work as the government leaders made public announcements to that effect.   
The UNP, as the main political force of governing side, proceeding with programmes to identify candidates for the elections. Likewise, the leaders of the JO met on Tuesday evening with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Chair to discuss the measures to get ready for the elections if declared.   

They will start work next week for the identification of candidates next week. If the election is to be conducted in January, nominations will have to be called in November, this year at least. It means there is basically one month left for all sides to get prepared for it at ground level prior to the nomination period.   

Rishad draws criticism in Cabinet over his objection to Mannar Wind Farm
The government moved an idea to establish a wind farm in Mannar for the generation of electricity. It came up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday when Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen made his reservations about it citing objections for it from the religious dignitaries in the area.   

Dr. Amunugama, annoyed by Minister Bathiudeen’s objection, said the religious dignitaries should not block the implementation of national priorities of the country

His remarks drew flak from Ministers Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. In fact, Dr. Amunugama, annoyed by Minister Bathiudeen’s objection, said the religious dignitaries should not block the implementation of national priorities of the country. “If the religious dignitaries are opposed to the wind power farm, will they address the energy requirements of the country?” he reportedly asked. He, along with Dr. Senaratne, stressed that Mannar was the most viable location for such a project.   

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka also spoke in support of the wind power. He said there was potential in Mannar to generate around 4000 MW of electricity to the national grid. As such, he said the location should not be compromised over protest by religious dignitaries in the area. He referred to how the religious leaders protested the coal power project in Norochcholai.