The Supreme Court hearing on the 19th amendment to the Constitution concluded today during which the Attorney general informed the SC that the amendment can be passed by a special majority in parliament without calling for a referendum as it does not interfere with the basic structure of the constitution.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Meanwhile Acting Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera speaking at a media briefing today said if the SC verdict, which would be delivered tomorrow instructs a referendum to be held, they would be omitting the sections that call for a referendum before taking it up for debate on Thursday and Friday (April 9 and 10).
The Minister said prior to taking it up for the debate and voting, they would take into account the Supreme Court verdict on 19 A.
“Accordingly, we will be convening a party leaders’ meeting during which the SC verdict will be discussed,” he said adding,”We are of the opinion that 19A does not comprise of any sections that warrant a referendum. However if the SC calls for a referendum sections which call for it will be omitted before presenting it for debate in the parliament,” he added.
Jagath Fernando / April 6, 2015
Dont rush through without having numbers in parliament.
Ranils future in the balance.
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Vibhushana / April 6, 2015
The PM is the head of govt.
Its a good idea, although its not in My3 manifesto firstly. Secondly, it requires a referendum. In addition, the UNP will have a hard time getting the required 2/3. My3 will not dissolve the Parliament before the promised reforms are made into law.
The Executive powers of the Prez has been pruned already. Its probably too soon to go any further at this stage.
My3 will give the PM the required freedom to act in the best interest of the nation. Although the panic button is needed given the guy’s track record.
This is precisely what the electorate asked from the govt. The 19a must explicitly say Prez is the head of govt.
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Jude Fernando / April 7, 2015
Hi Vibushana
I agree with you here. In fact, I think we are in a better situation today than during the previous regime. With JVP and social media acting as watchdogs we will be able to hold the PM and the President accountable. At least that is my hope. Up to now MY3 as done a lot to change the powers of the executive Presidency. We must be thankful to him. Two years back no one expected the country will get a person like MY3.
Cheers
Jude
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Mallaiyuran / April 6, 2015
Didn’t we see the Divineguma drama in the old Royal Government. From Sarath N.De Silva only, puppet are on the top. Hakeem demanded from America to support the Easter Province MPs.
This New Royal Government dismissed two CJ in one day only to make sure this type of Sinhala Intellectual Games will go through the court without delay. This Prime Minister is not an elected one. Did anybody mentioned in the court that a referendum is not necessary to have the constitution correct, but at least the parliament should have an elected government? Who is this government to correct the constitution?
Shiranee lost the creditability by trying save her husband from the National Saving Bank blackmails by he old Royals. That is why she was fired in one day after reinstatement. Her effort put her and Husband on the trials. Ranil said the parliament has the authority to dismiss any CJs. Puppet Sripavan was told to go and Mahanake if he wants to keeps his job. What kind of a judicial Judge he is if he go to pray the Lankave’s Ayatollahs?
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Jim softy / April 6, 2015
Ranil wickramasinghe knows if he holds onto the govt without going into the election eventually he would lose the general election. So, now he is trying to kill two birds with one stone.
He is bringing a constitution which makes the Prime minister the only executive. He says, if he loses that, he would dissolve the parliament and go to elections.
So, people have to be be careful and watch what is happening.
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Sisira Kumara Gamage / April 7, 2015
There are individuals living in the West and trying to decide the future for those living here. They do not want the folks here to come up because then these hypocrites lose their glamour. These critics from out, pretends they are helping to build the host country economies claiming they have no citizens of their own to do the job, hence they are living out.
The bottom line is Ranil Wickremasinghe will steer this country out of the mess and out of the hands of these hypocrites and will have the last laugh anyway.
Hard luck for all those Anti- RW critics now, as they are all history.
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Analyst / April 8, 2015
Sisira. K , It’s not like what you think. Those few writing from abroad may not be Anti RW but indirectly they may want RW to steer the ship to positivity and full fill the promises made soon after the Presidential Election.
And not to make himself a laughing stock.
Have you heard of reverse psychology?
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Sisira Weragoda alias Korala Thune Gamarala / April 7, 2015
Jim
How can the PM dissolve the parliament. There is no provision/Authority for that in the constitution.
Sec 70 of the present constitution ststes, how, when and who can dissolve parliament
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Raizuh Langai / April 7, 2015
We are as a nation still struggling to put up a workable constitution. countries around us who were economically worse off than us had grown leaps and bounds. Others who got Independence recently as 70s and 80s producing intellectuals in thousands. We are still a nation exporting house maids and house drivers.
Shame on you, politicians and all other crooks in higher positions. This blame goes to us stupid citizens as well. We are not a bunch of dumb people. We are smart, intelligent but had no leadership or direction to take us to the challenges to the next level. I proudly tell this, while working in ME with my A/L qualifications I was managing an office which handled millions of dollars worth of business while my office cleaner was a Masters degree holder of one of these Asian countries. Also I know a friend of mine (Lankan) went to ME started as a laborer rose up to be the Manager in the same company.
We have been fed/divided by our politicians with language and now with religion while sending their kith and kin to English education. This is not only a ploy to win our stupid votes but to create a ruling elite.
This led to other crooks came later to the scene to think differently. Bring in thugs and kasippu Mudalaalies to win votes. MR mastered this art into a family business.
Could anyone please tell me is there a way for an educated person to get into any legislative assembly in this country without being connected any big political families in each provincial level? We got rid of foreign rule in 1948 but we have created small Royal families in village levels. And these families still rule over us.And we fight each other on languasge and Halaal/Haraam.
To be continued…
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Analyst / April 7, 2015
That’s why I have pointed out in other replies these so called rogue leaders obtained the votes from the Modayas and kept them where they belonged “in gutters and subdued by
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priyangika / April 7, 2015
If the opposition and JHU are opposed to the 19th amendment, which MS has got the mandate, only way is for MS to become another MR and carry on the dictatorial government. He has nothing to loose if the amendment is not passed. He has time to get all the rogues in jail and have time to do the anti corruption drive in its totality. If that is what the opposition wants MS should exercise his powers.
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Mark / April 7, 2015
At last Sri Lanka has a proper functioning system of governance after years of complete abuse. If the votes to pass 19A after the supreme court ruling and compliance to its ruling are made then by all means dissolve parliament and go for a fresh mandate. Many of the current crooks can then be voted out and new blood brought in to form a fresh stable government. Without all the abuse of state resources, acts of voter intimidation/bribery etc.. that was part and parcel of MR era elections any one who thinks MR backers have a snow ball chance in hell of coming to power are smoking some good stuff. Also those who think the UNP will lose after all it has done to get to this point are just a bunch of idiots with a bone to pick. The SLFP needs time to mend itself. This is not their turn after the disasterous mess that unfolded under their watch.
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Analyst / April 7, 2015
Ranil has to prove his worthiness and promises .he came to this level as a PM because of the people power for a CHANGE and good governance. Hope he will upheld his promises . This may be his last chance on the pedestal as the PM before he fades away from the stage as a leader of a democratic nation.. If his promises in the name of Yahapalanaya went sour he will most probably will see his last destination as in the political Graveyard soon.
Srilankans are learning more of good governance and bad governance . they have seen the effects of bad governance of its highest point.
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priyangika / April 7, 2015
IF the opposition and MR’s gang vote against the 19th amendment only think left for MS is to be a real Executive President for the next 6 years. Let him use the executive powers like MR and get all the crooks charged. I think this would be good for country. We know 100 days is not enough to do the herculean task, though this was promised. What is wanted is to get all these crooks in.
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Raizuh Langai / April 8, 2015
From most of the responses what I gather is there is a lot of need for THE REAL CHANGE. Nothing will happen by; us like minded people just chatting over media. A mass movement is needed led by media such as CT,electronic media, ordinary people like us make aware to the main parties of these need to change. At least one party will listen. And we should not only support it but make it committed to implement such policies, if it comes to power in any level of governance.
Areas to discuss, English education with Sinhala & Tamil to Grade 10, No Ragging, No politics in uni, One family member to contest from a party in any legislative level, freedom of info,Panel of intellectuals as care taker govt. during elections ,fixed terms/numbers for ministers /ministries,non family member as ministry private secretaries, resignation from positions by politicos during a time of inquiry. The list goes on but this is for starters.
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