Opposition to name common candidate at Colombo rally　Presidential poll

November 9, 2014, 10:39 pm 

by Shamindra Ferdinando-November 9, 2014

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera stresses a point at Sunday’s media briefing at Dharmavijaya Foundation, where he urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa not to call an early presidential poll (pic by Ranjith Wimalasiri)

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha thera and JHU MP Ven. Athureliye Rathana thera yesterday urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take meaningful steps to abolish the executive presidency or at least do away with the dictatorial features in it or face the consequences.

The monks were addressing the media at the Dharmavijaya Foundation on behalf of Peoples' Movement for a Just Society and National Council for a clean tomorrow, respectively subsequent to the joint Opposition deciding to field a common candidate.

They announced plans for a large political gathering called 'Janarella' in Colombo on Wednesday (Nov. 12) to pressure the SLFP-led ruling coalition to abandon moves to call for early presidential election.

Ven. Rathana vowed to go ahead with the planned protest in spite of government attempts to block it. The monk claimed that Colombo Municipal Commissioner Badrani Jayawardana had prevented them from using Hyde Park even after Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil agreed to make it available for the event.

"All of a sudden, almost all grounds in the city and suburbs were booked by interested parties and we were left with only Muttiah grounds near Gangaramaya."

Ven. Rathana said that the common candidate could emerge at Wednesday's meeting in case the government interfered with their democratic right to dissent.

Ven. Sobitha stressed that a need to name a common candidate wouldn't arise if incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa responded positively to their request. Strongly criticizing the move to call for early presidential election, Ven. Sobitha said that the President had two more years and a two-thirds majority in Parliament to achieve introduce far reaching constitutional reforms.

Now that President Rajapaksa had defeated terrorism, he could win the people by restoring democracy, Ven Sobitha said. The President could earn the respect of people by simply implementing his promise to abolish the executive presidency, the Thera stressed.

The monk emphasised that no one had asked for a national level election and, therefore, the ruling coalition couldn't justify opting for an early presidential poll.

Last presidential election was held in January 2010.

When The Island pointed out that the Peoples' Movement for a Just Society and National Council for a clean tomorrow sharply differed on the executive presidency with the former calling for abolishing of JRJ's Constitution, whereas the latter wanted to retain the executive system with modifications, Ven. Rathana said in addition to Ven. Sobitha's movement, the JVP and the CP etc remained committed to the abolition. Ven. Rathana said that all those wanting to abolish executive presidency could accept his proposal to retain the executive presidency after having introduced far reaching constitutional changes to dilute current powers. In accordance with Ven. Rathana proposals, the President could only retain Defence portfolio.

Ven. Rathana insisted that his proposals wouldn't be diluted under any circumstances.

Responding to another query, Ven. Sobitha said that they wouldn't want to replace President Rajapaksa with another person to continue with the system. Ven. Rathana said that discussions among political parties and other groups meant to finalise an executable plan were continuing. Ven. Sobitha emphasised that he wanted both sides to emerge victorious. The Buddhist priest expressed confidence that President Rajapaksa would act swiftly and decisively to defuse the situation.

Asked whether the so-called movement wanting to do away with executive presidency had the backing of foreign funded NGOs, an irate Ven. Rathana shot back: "Did Mahinda Chintanaya, too, pledged to abolish executive presidency at the behest of NGOs?"

Ven. Rathana said that the Socialist Alliance comprising the CP, LSSP and Vasudeva Nanayakkara Democratic Left Front urged President Rajapaksa to abolish JRJ's Constitution at NGOs' command.

Responding to President Rajapaksa's assertion that the executive presidency was required as long as separatist sentiments remained, Ven. Rathana pointed out that terrorists killed one president, assassinated a presidential candidate and almost succeeded killing another, though President Rajapaksa triumphed over terrorism. The incumbent President could retain presidency along with defence portfolio, but other portfolios and dictatorial powers would have to be abolished, he said.

Commenting on Wednesday's rally, Ven. Rathana said that all political parties represented in Parliament including the SLFP had been notified of it and therefore the country could identify those who accepted the challenge and those who would back out.