What the government should do at the moment is not to increase the number of times a person could be the executive president but to bring in a new constitution says Member of the Political Bureau of the JVP Parliamentarian Anura Dissanayake. Speaking at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta today (13th) Mr. Dissanayake said executive presidency is not favourable to democracy or good governance.
Speaking further Mr. Dissanayake said, “All important institutions are with the President. Highways, aviation, finance and defense are with him. The Coast Conservation Department that was under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, The Land Reform Commission that was under the Ministry of Lands, The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission that was under the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication and Judiciary Service Commission that was under the Ministry of Justice are with the President now. The President controls 75% of the finances in the country. Is this justifiable?
Also, it is the President who appoints people to important posts in the government. He appoints the IGP, Chief Justice, Secretary General of the Parliament and the Attorney General. The cabinet has become a place of no avail. It has become a mere talk show. It is a few individuals headed by the President who take all decisions. This executive presidency with unlimited power is not accountable for the Parliament or the Judiciary. As such, it is a parasite on the society.
Hence, what we need now is an executive that is accountable to the Parliament; a collective executive that could be questioned by the representatives of the people.
The JVP has agitated to abolish the executive presidency since it was established by the constitution introduced in 1978. Even other main poetical movements came to a stand that the executive presidency should be abolished. The UNP that created this position too came to a stand that it should be abolished. Also, ‘Mahinda Chinthanya’ of 2005 and its continuation promised that executive presidency would be abolished.
At the general election the government asked for a 2/3rd majority to bring a new constitution to abolish executive presidency. Now we ask those gentlemen who shouted at the general election what has happened to that new constitution. What the government should do now is to bring in a new constitution instead of attempting to increase the number of times a person can become the executive president.
However, the cabinet, on the 8th, has approved to increase the number of times a person could become the executive president. Do we have to allow these amendments to be approved? Constitution is the law of the country. Whether it is accepted or not is another issue. All should abide by it. Amendments to the Constitution should be carried out not to fulfill individual whims and fancies. However, the present President is attempting to amend the Constitution as a solution for the crisis he is confronted with. Mr. J.R. Jayawardene attempted this in 1988. Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranayke tried it in 2000.
Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse’s attempt is to hold on to the executive presidency until Namal Rajapakse is ready to accept the reins. This should not be allowed. We are discussing regarding this in the Parliament. We have also decided to hold seminars throughout the country to apprise the masses regarding this,” said Mr. Dissanayake.
Speaking further Mr. Dissanayake said, “All important institutions are with the President. Highways, aviation, finance and defense are with him. The Coast Conservation Department that was under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, The Land Reform Commission that was under the Ministry of Lands, The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission that was under the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication and Judiciary Service Commission that was under the Ministry of Justice are with the President now. The President controls 75% of the finances in the country. Is this justifiable?
Also, it is the President who appoints people to important posts in the government. He appoints the IGP, Chief Justice, Secretary General of the Parliament and the Attorney General. The cabinet has become a place of no avail. It has become a mere talk show. It is a few individuals headed by the President who take all decisions. This executive presidency with unlimited power is not accountable for the Parliament or the Judiciary. As such, it is a parasite on the society.
Hence, what we need now is an executive that is accountable to the Parliament; a collective executive that could be questioned by the representatives of the people.
The JVP has agitated to abolish the executive presidency since it was established by the constitution introduced in 1978. Even other main poetical movements came to a stand that the executive presidency should be abolished. The UNP that created this position too came to a stand that it should be abolished. Also, ‘Mahinda Chinthanya’ of 2005 and its continuation promised that executive presidency would be abolished.
At the general election the government asked for a 2/3rd majority to bring a new constitution to abolish executive presidency. Now we ask those gentlemen who shouted at the general election what has happened to that new constitution. What the government should do now is to bring in a new constitution instead of attempting to increase the number of times a person can become the executive president.
However, the cabinet, on the 8th, has approved to increase the number of times a person could become the executive president. Do we have to allow these amendments to be approved? Constitution is the law of the country. Whether it is accepted or not is another issue. All should abide by it. Amendments to the Constitution should be carried out not to fulfill individual whims and fancies. However, the present President is attempting to amend the Constitution as a solution for the crisis he is confronted with. Mr. J.R. Jayawardene attempted this in 1988. Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranayke tried it in 2000.
Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse’s attempt is to hold on to the executive presidency until Namal Rajapakse is ready to accept the reins. This should not be allowed. We are discussing regarding this in the Parliament. We have also decided to hold seminars throughout the country to apprise the masses regarding this,” said Mr. Dissanayake.
