Civil society grouping vows to defeat Maithri-Mahinda project to restore 18A

... opposes National Govt.

by Shamindra Ferdinando-February 18, 2019, 12:42 pm 

A civil society grouping that campaigned for Maithripala Sirisena at 2015 presidential election has alleged that the President is cooperating with his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa to restore 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

Parliament enacted 19th Amendment to the Constitution in late April 2015 at the expense of the 18th Amendment approved in Sept 2010.

Co-convenor of Purawesi Balaya Gamini Viyangoda told The Island that the 19th Amendment had paved the way for significant political reforms in the wake of Sirisena’s victory at the last presidential election. Declaring that the 19th Amendment which substantially pruned executive powers the most important achievement since the change of government, the President shouldn’t be allowed to do away with it.

Alleging that the Oct 26, 2018 constitutional coup staged by President Sirisena and JO leader Rajapaksa was meant to reverse the far reaching reforms process undertaken by the country, Viyangoda said the despicable could be defeated thanks to the 19th Amendment.

Responding to a query, Viyangoda said that Purawesi Balaya and the National Movement for a Just Society would hold meeting at the latter’s office at Rajagiriya at 3pm on Wednesday (20) to educate the public of the grave danger posed by Sirisena’s alliance with Rajapaksa.

Viyangoda alleged racist elements were busy trying to undermine legitimate government elected by people for a period of five years.

Asked whether the civil society grouping backed the UNP efforts to form a National Government, Viyangoda emphasized that they wouldn’t support the move under any circumstances at the moment. Viyangoda said that expansion of the cabinet in the guise of a National Government would be an additional burden on those struggling to make end meet. The civil society activist said that those in power would have to re-think their strategies or face the consequences.

Viyangoda said that their main objective at the moment was to thwart President Sirisena and MP Rajapaksa move to restore the dictatorial 18th Amendment.