Addressing the media conference, MP Anura Dissanayake expressed their opinion on the recently proposed 21st amendment of the constitution.”
We are in favor of an amendment that strengthens democracy. It should not be an amendment that turns out to be a hoax”.
Accordingly, we will be agreed if the existing constitution is amended in the direction of strengthening democracy. But it should not be an amendment that turns out to be a mere hoax.
Even when the 19th amendment was introduced, instead of thinking about democratic principles, the power demands of Maithripala Sirisena’s and Ranil Wickremesinghe’s center of powers were embedded in that 19th amendment. Therefore, instead of bringing in amendments to strengthen democracy, there was a distortion due to the advancement of power interests.
There were two instances where healthy amendments had been made
to the constitution of our country. One is the 17th amendment. However, in 2010 Rajapaksa regime abolished the 17th
amendment and introduced the 18th amendment.
Subsequently, the 19th amendment was adopted as a step in the direction of democracy, taking advantage of the special political situation that arose in 2015. However, Gotabhaya and the Mahinda Rajapaksa family used their power in the last general election to remove the 19th amendment and pass the 20th amendment in parliament.
It is ironic in history that
the same group who had repealed the 19th and needed the 20th are preparing to
repeal it and bring in the 21st amendment. Also, there are those
who had raised their hands for the 17th,18th,19th,
and 20th are now preparing to bring the 21st amendment.
Nimal Siripala and Susil Premajayantha are such people.
There have been constitutional amendments that change each clause for each instance of power gambling. However, the 21st amendment to the constitution is now before us. As a political movement, we believe that this constitution, which has been torn down and attached at various times, should be completely changed and a completely new system of government brought into our country. But we know that these rulers are not going to bring a new constitution.
But, when the 20th amendment was passed in parliament, the minister of justice and the president stated that a new government would bring in a constitution within a year.
It is clear that, even with the introduction of the 21st amendment, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa wanted to consolidate power. Therefore, our proposal is that the president should not be able to hold any ministerial post as per the 19th amendment. However, the proposed 21st amendment has not created such an obstacle for the president. He has the power to take over and retain ministerial posts. About a month ago the president was in charge of all the ministries in the country.
On
several occasions, the president has removed ministers and
taken over their powers. We emphasize that the president should not have the
opportunity to take over any ministerial post. Only then can it be assumed that
some amendment was included in the executive presidency?
The central committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa also participated in this occasion.
-Switching parties-
Also, the transfer of MPs from one party to another has created a great deal of confusion. There is a history of switching parties for positions and privileges, to save cases, to save crimes, and to strengthen bank accounts. Some MPs jump here and there at every crucial moment in parliament. Parliament does not become a reflection of the true opinion of the people.
The original text of the 19th amendment had created obstacles to this. The original version had the ability to remove a member of parliament by a speedy course of action if he was transferred to another party. However, after Wijedasa Rajapaksa accepted an amendment brought by Dinesh Gunawardena after it was presented to parliament, that important amendment was withdrawn from the 19th amendment. Therefore, we emphasize that provisions should be included in this constitutional amendment to prevent MPs from shifting sides.
The president has been given the power to pardon. He can release those sentenced to death and those imprisoned for life. Case decisions may be suspended. Only part of a judgment can be enforced. The president has been given discretionary power over court decisions.
In the recent past, this power has been used to liberate criminals and rapists. Prisoners of murder were released. There were allegations that a large bribe was exchanged for political reasons as well as the release of those responsible for the royal park massacre.
Therefore, we suggest that the power to grant this freedom should be subject to certain restrictions. Our lawyers are considering what restrictions should be imposed in this regard. The 21st amendment should limit the president's discretionary power to pardon.
-No dual citizens in power-
The next point is the issue of dual citizenship. Currently, the 21st amendment stipulates that the president and ministers cannot hold dual citizenship when running for office.
Former central bank governor arjuna Mahendran is a dual citizen. The governor of the central bank who had the greatest power over the financial control of our country was a dual citizen. Eventually, he became involved in major central bank fraud and fled to his home country. Therefore, we propose that the appointment of persons to important institutions in the country should include a resolution that does not allow dual citizens.
-Auditing
MPs’
assets-
There are a lot of discussions going on about whether MPs’ assets should be audited. Our position is that accuracy cannot be selected by audit alone.
Also, the audit department does not have full powers to do so. Therefore, after the declaration of assets and liabilities by the members of parliament and the people's representatives, an inquiry can be conducted only on the basis of the declaration of assets and liabilities. Citizens can request within that period.
We suggest that clauses should be included to request the public to provide information to these investigative agencies if they have information on property that has been misappropriated by public representatives and to authorize investigative agencies to conduct a full investigation based on that.
- Reduction
of presidential powers-
Also, the amendment of the powers of the executive presidency will give a significant amount of powers to the prime minister, parliament, the cabinet, and the constituent assembly elected by parliament. In short, the powers vested in the president are vested in various structures. An important point here is to delegate powers to the prime minister and parliament. The current prime minister lost in the parliamentary elections.
He was a rejected man who had barely slipped from the national list. This amendment to the constitution gives special powers to the prime minister. From a democratic point of view, ranil Wickremesinghe is not qualified to hold the post of prime minister with such special powers. Because of a prime minister who was rejected by the people.
- Limit the term of the current
parliament-
As the prime minister with the additional powers vested in himself by the 21st amendment, he has no right to assume responsibility. Therefore, we propose to include a time limit on the current parliament as an interim provision in this constitutional amendment. The term of this parliament should be shortened by including an interim provision in this amendment.
Our proposal is to limit the term of this ninth parliament to two to three years.
After that, the people will have the opportunity to elect members of parliament and a prime minister through a new parliamentary election. Such a parliament and a prime minister should be empowered by the 21st amendment. Otherwise, a well-appointed prime minister has no right to exercise the powers vested in him by the 21st amendment.
Therefore, as the most important amendment in this constitution, we propose to include interim provisions with a time limit on the current parliament and to make these amendments effective after the election of a new mandate, parliament, and a prime minister.
-Appointing
ministry secretaries-
Another important aspect is the appointment of secretaries to ministries. Recently the secretaries of the ministries were transferred at will. Appointed. It was said that an administrative service officer was appointed to the ninth post under this government. When the president completed two and a half years of service, a secretary was transferred to nine places.
The same goes for the heads of institutions. If fraud and corruption are not allowed according to the political requirements, they will be transferred. When a very wrong agricultural policy was brought, the secretary to the ministry of agriculture was abruptly transferred due to his opposition. In this situation, there is a proposal that the secretaries to the ministries should be appointed by the constitutional council.
We hope to submit a number of such proposals to the 21st amendment. Based on these proposals, we are discussing other proposals. We plan to present our proposals regarding the 21st amendment.
MP Anura Dissanayake answered journalists …
The
prime minister has invited us to discuss the 21st amendment at 4.00
pm today. We have no place for conspiracies with the prime minister. The minister
of justice has given us the 21st amendment. It has been requested
to send proposals in writing for this. Those written proposals have been
requested today. But we received this draft on the evening of the 25th. Because
of this, we will need about two more days.
We
hope to submit our proposals in writing to the minister of justice. Also, when
the draft is passed, it must first be gazetted. Should be given to parliament.
Then he should come to the consultative committee of parliament. After that,
you should come to the consultative committee of the ministry of justice. At
such times we look forward to presenting our suggestions and ideas.
We have to come to parliament to get this passed. We hope to present our amendments to parliamentary committees. Negotiations inside palaces that are not like that are useless.
Is it a lack of advice to well govern the country for the president? There are tons of advice. Do these people in government need new advice not to steal? Do these people need new advice not to break the rules? Should new advice be given not to waste public wealth?
This is not a problem that can be solved by consulting services. The people have a protest against the members of this parliament. All these members of parliament have been elected by the people of that province. Power is in the hands of the people who call for a new parliament. That is why the people of our country should be given an opportunity for a new mandate. Then get ready for new advice in each field.
But this parliament cannot solve problems through advisory services. These problems can only be solved by establishing a government with a strong, new economic and political agenda.
It is not justifiable for a person who could not even come to parliament now to get more powers through the 21st amendment. Since the 21st amendment gives new powers to the parliament and the prime minister, a new parliament must be elected to exercise those powers. The term of office of this parliament should be limited by including an interim resolution in the 21st amendment. As it is specific to this parliament only.
Ranil Wickremesinghe had said that a new budget should be brought. He also said that the credit limit should be increased, and some tax amendments should be brought. Once those amendments are listed and submitted for a period of time and passed, other actions can be taken. If there is an urgent legal amendment to resolve the current economic crisis, we can consider it and extend our support.
There was no one to give the post of prime minister?
There were enough people in line to pick it up. But Gotabhaya gives to the person he wants from those in the queue. It is given to someone who is not a threat to the Rajapaksa family and becomes a definite protector.
Sajith Premadasa’s practice is like writing love letters after getting in the bridal shower. It doesn't work. S.J.B. formed with the basic foundations of the united national party. They may be saying that they are ready to take positions to protect that base.
No
matter how many misconceptions we have about the president, he has proved that
he is not fit for the chair, but constitutionally and under the 20th
amendment he has the right to hold that position. However, the 21st
amendment gives the prime minister some of the powers vested in him by the
president. This prime minister and any member of parliament appointed as the
prime minister is not qualified to obtain those new powers. A special situation
arises. As the prime minister has new powers in parliament, the people must be
allowed to elect a new parliament and a new prime minister to exercise that new
power. Parliament and the prime minister are elected by the people with the
understanding that they have the power to do so.
0 comments:
Post a Comment