By Laksiri Fernando –
Dr. Laksiri Fernando
UPFA General Secretary, Susil Premajayantha, has stated (Divaina, 3 December 2014) that the forthcoming manifesto of Mahinda Rajapaksa or Mahinda Chinthana 2015 would outline constitutional reforms along the previous manifestos of 2005 and 2010. This is hilarious.
If the government, and this means the President, wanted to reform the constitution it should have been done already. Even before breaking away from the UPFA, the JHU made a request with a draft in hand to curtail the dictatorial powers of the President and that was not heeded. The demand was to reform the constitution before the untimely elections and not after. The UPFA has 2/3 majority to effect substantial changes, with or without a referendum, but that opportunity was not utilized.
The SLFP policy has always been to abolish the presidential system which became stalled by the incumbent President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. That is one reason why the General Secretary of the SLFP, Maithripala Sirisena, is contesting against the incumbent President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, with the support of the UNP and other parties. He is now the common candidate.
President’s Argument
President argued that if the opposition wanted constitutional reforms they should have participated at the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC). It may or may not be the case, because the PSC’s main mandate was not to reform or abolish the presidential system but to find a constitutional solution to the national (or ethnic) question. The argument was like Nokerena vedakamata konduru tel hath pattayakuth tikkak (asking non- existent medicaments to avoid a treatment). There was no sincerity in the argument. The government has not even implemented the main proposals of the LLRC.
What happened to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) report of Tissa Vitarana, not to speak of the majority or the minority reports? All these were excuses. Did the 18th Amendment which was a substantial constitutional reform was placed before the so-called PSC? No. It was hurried through the Supreme Court and the Parliament. In fact it was not merely a substantial constitutional reform but a total deformation of a democratic presidential system. There is no question that even a presidential system could be democratic (not like in China, Russia or Brazil by the way) and the 18th Amendment has placed the final nail to its democratic limitations and checks and balances.
What has proved through experience is that Sri Lanka’s politicians are completely incapable or unreliable to exercise presidential powers. They are by and large mesmerized with power and some also with money. No one is completely reliable in this game. That is why people, party members, civil society organizations and concerned citizens should be extremely vigilant.
Common Front
It is salubrious in this sense that an opposition has crystalized of many parties, and not one, promising to reform and/or abolish the presidential system and bring substantial political reforms. At the forefront, there is a reliable common candidate. One party or one coalition has gone astray in the past.
This is not a coalition like the UPFA, but a common front. It is like a United Front in popular progressive movements, internationally. All parties act independently and they have come into a common understanding through MOUs. The object is to form a ‘national government’ in the future and not a coalition government of some. Whether this would completely be materialized will be decided by the future and the way the people vote at the elections on 8 January.
My task here is to visualize what could be achieved within 100 days particularly in terms of constitutional reforms and abolition/reform of the presidential system. Otherwise there is a large itinerary incorporated in the two MOUs so far signed by the common candidate. As the literary meaning signifies, a MOU is a memorandum of understanding between two or more parties to a venture, enterprise or project. Not one party, but parties agree to achieve the objects specified within the agreed timeframe.
An election manifesto would come separately, based on these MOUs and also assessing the feasibility, if it is rational. Or otherwise, it can also can come clumsily, incorporating all what are incorporated in the MOUs.
Opposition Plan
Nimal Siripala de Silva, himself a lawyer, opened the mouth earlier on, however misleadingly, on behalf of the government. While speaking to the “Dasa Desin” program of the SLBC on 24 November he said that “there is no legal authority for a President to abolish the executive presidency, whether he desires or not.” He and others insisted the same thereafter. He insisted that the abolition of the presidency is a matter for the Parliament and asked how an opposition candidate could obtains the necessary 2/3 majority for such a venture. This was before the defection of the SLFP General Secretary. Now he has become the opposition’s common candidate. The scenario now is substantially different.
Sri Lanka’s presidential system, unlike the US, is a mixed system and from the beginning the President had a foothold in Parliament. This foothold is now strengthened under the 18th Amendment. To abolish the Presidential system and the 18th Amendment, the presidential system and the 18th Amendment themselves could be and should be utilized! It is like Visen Visa Nasee (negating poison with poison).
If the incumbent, Mahinda Rajapaksa, can come as the Minister of Finance and propose the Budget, then Maithripala Sirisena also can come as the Minister of Constitutional Reform (temporarily) and propose a constitutional amendment to abolish the presidential system and also to abolish the 18th Amendment and reinstate the 17th Amendment. Before that even he can utilize the powers of the 18th Amendment to make adjustments to prevent any sabotage from the judiciary or any other source. For this to happen, the opposition should obtain an unequivocal mandate from the people to implement what they have so far outlined and declared to the people.
It is important to note that even in the main MOU signed between the common candidate and the UNP, and also other parties and organizations, what is stated is the “Abolition of the presently existing executive presidential system within 100 days and the reinstatement of a parliamentary system accountable to the people.” It also states immediately after that, “In the newly created parliamentary system of government, the President shall be the Head of State and shall hold powers and responsibilities suitable to that position and the office of the President will be establish to symbolize the national unity of the country.”
In the MOU signed between the common candidate and the JHU it is stated that while “agreeing to implement the following political reforms within 100 days” that “it is agreed to do away with the arbitrary executive powers of the President without affecting the security of the state or the territorial integrity whatsoever.”
It is possible under the reforms that the President retains National Security at least for the time being, as a necessity or to alleviate certain concerns of some sections of society (i.e. armed forces). I would also propose, in that case that he should also be in charge of National Reconciliation. They go hand in hand under a post-civil war situation. There should be a balance between the two, without using one against the other.
100 Days
In terms of constitutional law and practical politics what is important to answer here is whether the abolition of the ‘current executive presidential system’ is possible within 100 days. My answer is an unequivocal yes, in terms of constitutional law. What would be proposed is not a new constitution altogether. The framing of a new constitution takes time and should take time. It should be well thought out. However, the abolition of the existing executive presidential system is a forgone conclusion.
Then the remaining part of the question is whether MS or the common opposition could receive a necessary 2/3 majority in the present parliament. It is patently clear that the ‘common opposition’ as it is today does not even have a majority. However, politics is a fluid phenomenon particularly in Sri Lanka and particularly at this juncture. Two main elements are important in answering this question.
- The opposition has very clearly stated that what they would form after the presidential election (of course if they win!) is an all- party or a national government. I would assess this possibility as high (80 percent possibility) going particularly by the ‘prophesy’ of none other than the present Prime Minister, DM Jayaratne, who said in Parliament that “the Pope would be meeting a new government when he arrives.” It is the PM who said that. And it is the General Secretary of the ruling party, the SLFP, who is contesting against the incumbent President now!
- If such a proposed constitutional amendment is defeated in Parliament what would happen? The Parliament will be dissolved and a fresh election will be held with immediate effect. Before predicting what would happen at such an election, let me point out this fact. There are nearly 50 MPs in Parliament who have entered the chambers for the first time. They are entitled for a pension only after 5 years and that is 22 April 2015. This is obviously a trump card that MS has if he wins.
As a person who is not favoring insidious methods in politics, I would not suggest to use that threat or the trump card. Even without that, there are clear signs that the ship is now sinking. There would be o many people jumping out, some genuine and some not so. It is a future and a necessary task to sort them out or otherwise the change that the people expect would be far too short of their aspirations. The main task today is to win the elections overwhelmingly and that is possible if the campaign is conducted with sincerity and determination.
Poomail / December 6, 2014
“There would be so many people jumping out,”.
Where are they junping to Einstein? To a place only “political scientists” like you can see?
You may fool some people until 8 Jan 2015 but they will all show you the middle finger on that day. You can’t fool enough of them!
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Amarasiri / December 6, 2014
Dr. Laksiri Fernando
RE: Could The Presidential System Be Abolished In 100 Days?
Yes.Is is the task undertaken by the Common Opposition.
Could The Common Sense Phamplet be written, printed and distributed In 30 Days?
Yes, if If the Task is undertaken by the Common Opposition or JVP.
No, if the task is undertaken by Sri Lankan writers.
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Amarasiri / December 6, 2014
Dr. Laksiri Fernando –
Sri Lanka Bar Association to take legal action against Colombo MC if cutouts not removed by Monday
Fri, Dec 5, 2014,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_14B/Dec05_1417794518CH.php
Cutouts… Legal action is ok, it just puts pressure, but nothing happens.
If they really want something done, do this.
1. Fill balloons with Black paint and Also with Red paint with a stone inside the balloon.
2. Get Common boys, and kids, pay Rs.100. for them to throw at the face and head of MaRa in all the cutouts.
After all the cut outs are illegal.
3, Use paint ball guns to fire paint ball s at the face of the cut outs…
In the meantime, can wait the legal action to rot and rot and lot
Nike Ad says, “JUST DO IT”- They are Americans.Can Sri Lankans throw out MaRa by throwing paint on the face of MaRa cutouts?
Dec 05, Colombo: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka says that it will take legal action against the Colombo Municipal Council if the Council does not take measures to remove all the election campaign hoardings in the nation’s capital by Monday.
The President of the Bar Association Attorney-at-Law Upul Jayasuriya at a media briefing today said they will give time to CMC until Monday to remove the cutouts.
“If these cutouts are not removed by Monday we’ll take the matter to the courts,” Jayasuriya said.
The BASL has also written to the Urban Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council demanding to remove the unauthorized hoardings erected within the capital city.
The Association in its letter pointed out that the erection of campaign hoardings in the city is in contravention to the provisions of the Colombo Municipal Council Act.
The Elections Commissioner had also informed the Urban Commissioner of the CMC to take down all unauthorized hoardings, the BASL.
“The beauty of the city is lost because of these hoardings. Traffic signs cannot be seen due to these cutouts and this can result in fatal accidents taking place. This can also result in traffic congestion. A gazette has been issued by the Municipal Council to prevent such incidents taking place. Hence, we believe it’s the responsibility of the Municipal Council to arrest this situation,” the letter said.
Common sense Phamplet? Are there any Thomas Paines out there in Sri Lanka?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense_%28pamphlet%29
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Sengodan. M / December 6, 2014
No sooner MS wins the PE, all SLFPers who are currently in darkness will see the light and give him the two third majority to abolish the EP. No parliament will say that it is NOT supreme and that it’s powers could be usurped by a single individual!
Sengodan. M
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Thiru / December 6, 2014
Must read the following to get the big picture of the Sri Lankan regime today:
Sri Lanka’s Secrets, by Trevor Grant is chronicle of genocide
Book review by: Bruce Haigh is a political commentator, retired diplomat, who served in Sri Lanka and former member of the refugee review tribunal.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/book-review-sri-lankas-secrets-by-trevor-grant-is-chronicle-of-genocide-20141201-11shqn.html#ixzz3L6HyqhpR
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/book-review-sri-lankas-secrets-by-trevor-grant-is-chronicle-of-genocide-20141201-11shqn.html#ixzz3L6Hhp2OD
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dcn / December 6, 2014
Within 100 days the changes could be effected. I am sure the legal draughtsmanship department, parliamentary sessions., judiciary, and all others necessary for these changes would work extra hours for this worthy cause.( Pl remember how fast the 17th and 18th amendments were passed)
By chance if this requires to go through a referendum it is still possible to do so within 100 days and must make it happen.
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Pacs / December 6, 2014
It is the politicians who are going to change colour. But they are not going to change. Existing corruption minds are not going to change. Present politicians generally have link to corruption. They can change groups or Party. That is for their survival. Will they change their corruption filled politics. Can they survive after that. No politician will like to perish. By changing groups you can not abolish corruption. By changing Mahinda you can not change corruption. Therefore whoever the president corruption is going to be there as long as corrupted politicians are there. May be they take turns. Even that by changing parties some try to break that tradition Too to gain more by incessant corruption.
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Vasantha Raja / December 6, 2014
Judging from the opportunistic nature of Sri Lankan politicians, I predict: there will be NO problem whatsoever in getting a two-third majority in the parliament if the following two things happen: 1. Maithripala Sirisena (MS) wins overwhelmingly on 8 January. 2. Mahida Rajapaksa (MR) willingly step aside paving the way for the new president to take power. If this scenario does take place then we will see an unstoppable rush by MPs to join the ‘new’ SLFP under Maithri’s leadership. Thus, the ‘two-third majority problem will not arise.
But, I predict a different scenario: This election will be the most violent, most unfair, most crooked election ever in Lanka’s history, and the Mahinda Dynasty will make sure it somehow produces a semblance of victory at the end. If, on the other hand, it becomes crystal clear that Maithri’s victory is heading for an obvious landslide that cannot be covered by dirty tricks, then a military coup under Gota’s leadership will be the most likely outcome. A few well-planned ‘manufactured events’ would be sufficient to make this turn.
Thus, one of the main tasks of the opposition should be to enlighten the masses of this realistic scenario, and prepare the democratic forces to confront this serious threat. The Left-parties should not leave this task in liberals’ hands. All socialist parties should form a UNITED FRONT -irrespective of political differences – and organize Sri Lanka’s trade union movement across the country to swiftly launch a general strike in this most likely eventuality. [Never forget that my predictions here are more realistic than a ‘peaceful regime change’.] [Follow my Facebook-Wall]
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Sellam / December 6, 2014
Not bad at all but it is a herculean task. Why not ask Ranil and Chanrika. They are better informed.
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Dr. Laksiri Fernando / December 7, 2014
Vasantha,
I am not discounting the dangers that you outline. But I would not merely depend on the strategy you outline simply because such an influential/effective Left is not available in Sri Lanka today. That is the stark reality. Therefore or even otherwise, a broad democratic alliance is the answer. To prevent election manipulation, people should be vigilant. An amount of international pressure may also be necessary to ensure a reasonable election (I would not say free and fair). After a long time I see the emergence of a strong opposition. That is the only hope. You are quite right in identifying the “opportunistic nature of the Sri Lankan politicians” including the Left! The way out might be quite a slow process. It is important not to consider the presidential election a ‘do or die’ matter.
Laksiri
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 6, 2014
Prof. Laksiri,
Isn’t there are provision in the 18th amendment for a ‘Constitutional Council’ to adice on higher appointments, etc?
During the first 100 days,
1. The constitutional council should be made to operate in the most effective way possible.
2. The political appointees in the Supreme Court should be asked to resign or be impeached in a legal manner, if they do not resign, preferably, voluntarily.
3. Institutions such as public service commission and judicial services commission should be reconstituted to operate without political inteference.
4. Police Service should be permitted to operate without political interference in a Home Ministry as constituted in yester years.
5. Lake House, Rupavahinini, ITN etc., should be freed from the grip of the government and made public institutions.
6. The armed forces should be strictly limited to their security functions and divested of all other activities. The efficient officers in the armed forces should be retired and appointed to positions where their experience and no-nonsense attitude will serve this country well. The British colonial rulers did this after the end of the second world war.
8. The Bribery Commission should be given a pro-active role and permitted to hunt down the corrupt. It should not be permitted to become a witch hunt. No one should be high and mighty enough to be exempt from this crusade. The guilty should be prosecuted and if proven guilty, punished to the maximum extent permitted by the law.
9. Those who forment ethnic and religious hatred and violence, should also be promptly arrested and prosecuted.
Many things can be done even with the present constitution and the executive presidency, if the right values and attitudes are adopted.
This is where the combined opposition and the leadership of Maithiripala Sirisena, Ranil Wickremasinghe, Chandrika Kumaratunge, Gen. Sarath Fonseka, Rathana Thera and Medamuluwe Sobita Thera can have an impact from day one.
The difference after January 8th’ 2015, should be like a bright day after a long night.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Dr. Laksiri Fernando / December 7, 2014
Dr. Rajasingham,
There is no ‘Constitutional Council’ under the 18th Amendment. It was abrogated like the ‘Two Term Limit’ for the President. What is installed was a ‘Parliamentary Council,’ which has no powers in respect of appointments to the Commissions or key positions. All appointments are made by the President and shall only seek observations (within a week) of the ‘Parliamentary Commission.’
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Peace / December 6, 2014
Spot on Vasantha Raja,
The writing is on the wall.
MR Regime is not going to give up power easily.Be prepared for the worst.
This is why the Minority Parities are very apprehensive in openly supporting Common candidate.
In any event excuse for blood bath,will be Terrorism and/or Minority/Diaspora/International plot,be it Military Coup or BBS Vandalism let loose.
TNA/SLMC/ACMC/CWC etc have thought through all these scenarios, that is why they are making statements hand in glove,knowing well what the out of the election will be.
Over to you Javi,
Should neighboring countries,international/Forces Intervene, according to your theory when the fence caught fire “We cann’t be passive observers” theory .
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Sengodan. M / December 7, 2014
If Ma Ra tries to hold on to power illegally, international sanctions are sure to follow and MaRa should be aware of this!
Sengodan. M
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Peace / December 6, 2014
I full y agree with your doc.
I would like to add the LLRC recommendations should be implemented as well.
Including demilitarization.
returning lands to their rightful owners.
Letting the democratically elected Provincial councils to function without interference,
as measure of immediate relief for Minorities Communities.
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Thrishu / December 6, 2014
Getting things done in Sri Lanka in 100-days, is a state of mind where everyone is living in a dream world. In Sri Lanka it is next to a miracle. People live in such high hopes and dreams, the reality does not seem to strike them at all. Even in highly advanced countries, major step changes of this formand scale won’t be achieved in 100-days.
In reality SLK will never change the way, as it is expected in the virtual world of bloggers, because of entrenched attitudes of any person that holds power in SLK, whether this MR clan or anyone else. It is because they are all of Sri Lankan blood, giving them this national characteristic of swollen head that power brings. I too am looking forward to the return of proper democracy, but it might not happen.
MS campaign has a fundamental weak point. He promises to bring to end the Executive Presidency, but the mechanism of achieving is not transparent to anybody. I bet not even to MS. So how can he promise this change in 100-days.
If it was Sarath Fonseka as the Head of the Army, promising to do a military style take over and reformation of the constitution, then I could have expected results from him; with the wide powers of mobilization of forces that was under his command, and his military discipline he could have achieved it, not as a democratic process, but as a national campaign for cleaning and purging of the corruption, purging the thugs and criminals that decorate on pedestals, creating an environment to return to democracy afresh.
What if MS did not achieve his objective in 100-days? What would happen then?
Furthermore, suppose EP was miraculously abolished in 100-days, then why should the popular candidate abdicate his responsibility in favor of another loser called Ranil. Why would anyone vote for a popular hero to end up with an unreliable loser, who once plotted with Norwegians to divide our country and agreed to live in subservience to Prabhakaran? It does not make sense to me at all.
I will definitely not hold my breath for a miracle in 100-days.
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Pacs / December 7, 2014
preparation for war is planned and active during the peace time. Not much news about gora so it is very active in preparations.
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K.A Sumanasekera / December 7, 2014
This Professor is right on people who are ready to jump . But it all depends on the right price of course.
MS Sisson apparently offered a price which was turned down by a Govt Minister.
So there won’t be any shortage of funds for this Opposition of Humbugs ..
That is if Sand Sira’s Brother wins.
Ex UNPer from Kelaniya will jump to the lap of Ranil even without a price.tag..
It is a pity that the Professor didn’t focus on the real issue which is granting the 13 A to TNA.
Isn’t the denial of 13 A, the whole crux of this Opposition Humbugs’ campaign to topple the Govt?..
Sand Sira’s brother now says his promise to abolish the Exec Presidency is not really a full on abolition..
It is sort of a Clayton’s version..
He said this to the BBC the mother of all good journalism.
So there is no come back …
This what he said, …Executive Powers of the Presidency with regards to the PCs will not be abolished
If he does , those powers will have to be vested with the Provinces resulting in 9 Governments.
So he is going to keep the Presidency with that particular power and the other powers to ensure good governance by the PM and his/ her Cabinet..
This is at least some good news for the inhabitants.
Because they would not want JHU, JVP, TNA, SLMC, BBS, and DNA governments ruling them in this small Island with only 20 Million souls.
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kali / December 7, 2014
Dear Dr.Fernando:
Could The Presidential System Be Abolished In 100 Days.
I think it can be done in principle if the Constituion allows it. If steps are taken to put in place the Mechanism to abolish it I am sure the 100 days limit is immaterial as politicians always promise things which cant deliver as promised.
But for me as a Tamil the question is will the Tamils get their right in the next 100 years. I ask this question because the last time when I commented that Mr.Srisena cant be trusted you assured me that he is a man of intergrity and he will address the issue of Tamil rights. He has now answered that thorny issue in no uncertain terms.
He has quite catergically sataed that he will not Devolve Power to the Provinces and has taken an even more hawkish line than that of MR.
My question is is he electioneering to win the election and then once in power go back on his Manifesto Promise and implement the 13th Amendment with the danger of history repeating itself and we have fresh race riots on the streets where olny Tamil blood will be spilt.
This is why I said that Tamils cannot expect to get anyhthing from the Majority who will not grant any rights to Tamils and the solution has to come from outside with Economic Sanctions to start with criplling the Nation to bring the majority to their senses. If any one is in any doubt just listen to the statement from the Britsh Parliament.
I am sorry if I take a negative and gloomy view but based on Sri Lankan track record for the last 64 years what other conclusion can we reach. Peharps you will correct me and point me in the right direction.
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Dr. Laksiri Fernando / December 7, 2014
Kali,
From where did you get the following?
“He has quite categorically stated that he will not Devolve Power to the Provinces and has taken an even more hawkish line than that of MR.”
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kali / December 7, 2014
Dear Dr.Fernando
This is a news item that I read in Lankasri but I dont know how authentic it is and I havent had the opportunity to check it out. If it is true it is a worrying development.
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kali / December 7, 2014
Dear Dr.Fernado:
Here is a text of TNAs stament.
Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party, the TNA today said that Tamils were yet to decide their preference for the January 8 presidential polls as their concerns remain unaddressed by both, the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa and his main opposition rival.
“Tamils are facing various issues. There are hundreds of people who still can’t go back to their own lands because Army is occupying them”, Suresh Premachandran, a senior member of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said.
“There are hundreds of political prisoners. Even after 5 years (of the end of war), people are still in camps”.
President Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka Freedom Party is pitted against the United National Party, an agglomeration of opposition parties including defectors from his own Cabinet.
Premachandran said they await answers from contestants.
“We are waiting for answers. If given the chance, we will talk to them,” the TNA leader added.
He further said the opposition’s utterances were equally worrying them (tamils).
“The opposition is saying we are not for a federal solution, they won’t accept the UN enquiry, we will destroy all LTTErs who are living abroad,” Premachandran said.
He claimed the opposition has failed to say how they would resolve their problems.
“We are citizens of this country we want to live as equals”.
The Tamil minority support would be crucial for the both main candidates, incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa and the opposition unity candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
In 2005, Rajapaksa was able to win by a wafer-thin margin as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) forced the Tamils to boycott the polls hurting his main challenger Ranil Wickremesinghe’s chances.
Seeking a record third term after he pushed through changes to the constitution, Rajapaksa has ordered snap polls on January 8.
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Rationalist / December 7, 2014
Will the Incumbent vacate His Position within a 100 days?
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Sri / December 7, 2014
Dr Laksiri Fernado
I just give below the relevant paragraph from your article before presenting my observations for clarification
“If the incumbent, Mahinda Rajapaksa, can come as the Minister of Finance and propose the Budget, then Maithripala Sirisena also can come as the Minister of Constitutional Reform (temporarily) and propose a constitutional amendment to abolish the presidential system and also to abolish the 18th Amendment and reinstate the 17th Amendment. Before that even he can utilize the powers of the 18th Amendment to make adjustments to prevent any sabotage from the judiciary or any other source. For this to happen, the opposition should obtain an unequivocal mandate from the people to implement what they have so far outlined and declared to the people”.
I cannot visualize the feasibility of the above from materialising?
Why should Maithiripala Sirisena come to Parliament as Minister of Constitutional Reform?
Any Member of Parliament could be appointed as Minister of Constitutional Reform and bring in an amendment to the constitution.
What is the advantage in having Mr Mathripala Sirisena in presenting the constitutional amendment?
And what happens after that?
The amendment will go before the Supreme Court for a decision
The Supreme Court is required to decide
Either a two third majority is necessary and sufficient or it could say that in addition to a two third majority it should be passed in a referendum.
These are the only two options available under the present constitution
The Supreme Court as it is constituted today is likely to decide on the second option.
Is it humanly possible to complete all these within hundred days?
I could not see any powers in the 18A for the President elect to utilize
for this specific purpose!
For your clarification please
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Dr. Laksiri Fernando / December 7, 2014
Sri,
First there is a misunderstanding. I am not proposing him to become a MP. Of course even without becoming a Minister he can propose a constitutional amendment. In my view it is important that he makes the proposal because that is his promise at the election. Yes, after the proposal it should go to the SC. In the case of the 18th Amendment it went to the SC on 30 August 2010 and the verdict came quickly on 7 September and it was a done deal on the next day. I know it is not a transparent procedure, if a constitutional amendment is rushed. The difference here is that an election is held on the issue before. Even the main contours of the constitutional amendment could be a part of the election manifesto. I would highly suggest that. That is what Ven. Sobitha proposed. I would count two weeks for the parliamentary procedure. If the SC decides for a referendum, it can still be held within a month or one and half months.
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Ram / December 7, 2014
How the US manipulated the Tamils and the Muslims prior to the last election in 2010 is well exposed by Shamindra F’do. There are always people willing to betray a nation for selfish gain. Sri Lanka is no exception. ONLY the naive would believe that there was no such involvement today, when praise is heaped on CBK and RW for their political acumen.
It is well to remember that MR’s political opponents were building castles in the air in 2010 too, as they are now as the above comments clearly display.
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kali / December 7, 2014
Ram you Sinkalam:
“It is well to remember that MR’s political opponents were building castles in the air in 2010 too, as they are now as the above comments clearly display.”
The above is what you call UFOs ( Unidentified Foreign Objects) and it is not visible to all Human eyes except the Racist Majority among the 20 million.
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Sena de Silva / January 22, 2015
Some other 100 days.
USA. The best known 100 days action plan was that of Franklyn D Roosevelt, who took over as American President during the time of USA’s Great Depression of the 1930s when America faced its biggest challenge including bankruptcy.
He spoke to the people on radio every Sunday (when most would be at home) to explain everything he was trying to do. It was believed that at least 60 million people out of a population at that time of 200 million listened.
It was no surprise that he turned out to be possibly the most loved President of the USA.
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