According to the recommendations of Reconciliation Commission, by originating a new constitution, a new political culture and economy society can be originated was said by opposition party leader United National Party Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe.
According to this, our party is engaged drastically in the activities of originating the new constitution, said opposition party leader. Concerning the introductory of new constitution, discussions will be held at the end of this month and activities will be processed to find the opinions from all sectors in the entire country.
He made this statement at the National Lawyers Association 41st anniversary celebrations held two days back in Colombo.
He said, politics is not constitution, legislature or organizations included. Political parties establish democracy and Medias, civil movement, state service, and police, military all sectors include.
However currently political system and all organizations are ruined. Medias have fallen inside state sack. The entire Attorneys of the country represents the Bar Association of Sri Lanka hence we should place it in its position.
President's Attorney Wijeyadasa Rajapakse was the former chairman of BASL accomplished his duties perfectly.
To defeat the imperialist Rajapakse regiment to establish democracy in the country, independence of judiciary and the national Lawyers federation is operating. Similarly we too will function.
Our protest is not for the United National party to come into power. To establish a new political system in the country and to strengthen the economy.
In this backdrop, by submitting a new amendment to the constitution, to implement United National party has the competence. However we should contemplate what it is.
Crisis originated in the country did not limit only for constitution. Political system is also the reason for this crisis. If it so, the new political system will originate economy system.
Constitution cannot be created by forgetting the political system. Both these should journey equally. By originating an essential constitution to the people and country, recommendations consist in the Reconciliation Commission report.
We accept the report of Reconciliation Commission, and its recommendation, should decide of originating a new constitution.
According to the recommendation made in the Reconciliation Commission report, to introduce a new constitution in the country, a new political economy society should be formed in the country, is the stance of United National Party headed by me.
There is no problem in the new constitution whether it is executive presidential system or executive premier system.
However the importance indicated in this is, how to protect the people mandate and human rights.
We should contemplate, to protect the referendum, how to originate a perfect government without corruption. If this reason do not consist, whatever condition exist, it will not be beneficial to the country and people.
United National party is advancing activities in submitting an amendment for a new constitution. According to this, it is decided to hold discussion at the end of this month.
Concerning the new constitution we are prepared to hold discussion with all sectors in the country said Ranil Wickramasinghe.
Monday , 06 May 2013
May 06, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government is considering to introduce the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
The local media has reported that the amendment is aimed at reducing the terms of the President and the Chief Justice.
The President's term of office is to be reduced to five years while the tenure of the Chief Justice is to be limited to five years as well.
At present, a President could hold office for six years while the Chief Justice does not have a time limit to hold office, but has to retire at the age of 65.
However, a limit has not been imposed on the number of times a President could be elected to office.
A 19th Amendment to the Constitution has also been considered as a solution to the current national issue of power devolution, and according to the media, the 19th Amendment will limit the powers vested with the provincial councils under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Therefore, land and police powers vested with the provincial councils will be repealed under the new Constitutional amendment.
Several government circles have pointed out the need to amend the Constitution and the government has accordingly made the decision to introduce the new amendment.
The proposed amendment is currently being drafted and will be sent to the Attorney General's Department in the next few weeks.
