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Constitutional amendments must be made known to the country: we are not ready for meaningless aimless discussions –JVP

(Lanka-e-News, July 19, 2010, 11.00PM) The JVP pointed out, if measures are being taken to discuss with political parties on the Constitutional amendments, firstly the Govt. should present a summary of its amendment proposals before the people. It is only then discussions can be held on the basis of those proposals. On the other hand, if these proposals are just for the Govt. to while away its time inviting various views, the JVP will not waste its time participating in these discussions.

The JVP made the above response to the Govt. ‘s announcement that the latter is prepared to discuss with the JVP on the proposals in respect of the Constitutional amendments. Hereunder is the full text of the Press communiqué issued by the JVP politburo…

At the last General elections and the Presidential elections the Govt. asked a mandate from the people promising to abolish the Executive Presidency. Later, the Govt. instead of fulfilling that promise made attempts to extend the number of terms of the Executive President to keep one individual continuously in that position. A huge protest and hue and cry was mounted against this by all sections of the society. The Govt. had now thought of having discussions about the introduction of the post of Executive Prime Minister putting aside the Executive Presidency only after these protests. The question here is, who is to be the Executive Prime Minister and when is his term going to end. What the Govt. is getting ready by these proposed amendments to the constitution is to continue with the Executive Presidency system as it is and vesting that one individual with unlimited powers, but merely changing the name only into Executive Prime Minister. Hence, the Govt. must first make its stance abundantly clear to the country without taking refuge in camouflages. This is imperative before any discussion.

Until now, the Govt. has as not clearly made known its idea in this regard. In these circumstances, on what is it trying to discuss with the political parties? is a major question. We view aimless discussions without a proper foundation and a clear concise publication of the proposals for the constitutional amendments as a subterfuge adopted by the Govt. to waste time, for which discussions the JVP is not prepared to take part. Therefore the Govt. is duty bound to make it known publicly to the people what are its proposals for the constitutional amendments immediately. We urge the Govt. to do that first. It is only after that the JVP can participate in the discussions.

In the way the Govt. is seeking to get the views of the political parties, it must also give an opportunity to the civil Organizations, the intelligentsia, the professionals and the minorities to express their opinions. We therefore demand the Govt. first and foremost to present a summary of its proposals to enable all to study them.

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Fully agree with Mervin. Further what I would like to add is that, by today's standard, people should not engage politicians to draft constitutions knowing their inability to implement the constitutional obligations and maintain law and order. It is better to leave this task to luminaries and those experienced without bias to draft a constitution which will uphold dignity. Present trend is not to entertain heroes. All, nothing otherwise, what is required is some intelligent person to hold the rudder. All the politicians are just beyond their limits and means for many decades.Enough is enough.

Posted By: Thomas Adrian

This is an intelligent approach by the JVP. No need to rush to intricate "constitutional amendments" for the sake of them. We all know how both CBK and MR went back on their pledges. "Power corrupts - and absolute power corrupts absolutely" beyond all norms of governance. Sensing the tide turning against the so-called "need of the people " for a "third term" MR is using his innate political skills to once again out-maneuver the opposition by getting them occupied with complex, lengthy exercises which will only make them go into deep slumber at the cost of pressing issues. UNP with its never ending internal political squabbles and its inability to chart a course of ressurection from "near death" takes up any opportunity to be alive and active. When I saw the photograph of all those smiling faces of the UNP at the Presidents house with UPFA big wigs (they were smiling too as they realize what an easy prey the UNP has become) - it reminded me of political relics who has been given yet again a life line. Internationally our image has been tarnished by an inept display of "heroics" which can only please the local electorate. This was the case both with regard to GSP + and the UN panel. As I remember the opposition did not accept the results of the Presidential elections which is a serious matter and subject to the appropriate judicial process. SF remains in custody and even court decisions are flouted by various military bosses as and when they deem fit. There is social and economic chaos. Health ministry is in total disarray (probably the doings of a previous minister who gloated over his selection as rotating President of WHO rather than getting down to the root causes of life-threatening diseases - now spreading and threatening to engulf the country - Dengue etc.) Pillars of democracy are threatened and only those voices that endorse the govt. have a free ride. The very base of independent journalism is going through the worst crisis. These are issues to address on a priority basis.

Posted By: Mervin de Silva