Opposition Parties Must Support To Formulate New Constitution – Karunarathna Paranawithana
by Ashanthi Warunasuirya-Monday, April 18, 2016
Following are excerpts of the interview:-
Q: How do you see the entire parliament working as a constitutional Assembly?
A: We decided at the beginning to involve the entire parliament to formulate a new Constitution. We decided on this method after discussing it in parliament. Accordingly on April five, the Constitutional Assembly convened and began the historic procedure of formulating a new Constitution for the country presided by its chairman Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe holds the chairmanship of its task committee. This committee represents all parliamentary opposition parties and political fronts. They will formulate the fundamental draft and submit it to the Constitutional Assembly. The Assembly will debate, discuss and formulate the new Constitution. This is the most suitable system to formulate a new Constitution for the country.
Q: It is said that this system is not legal. What is your view on this claim?
A: There are different views. Some say we cannot formulate a new Constitution in this way. But this system is constitutional. The present Constitution shows a system in this regard. No one denies it. A single party or government cannot bring in a new constitution. All must get together to formulate a new constitution. It cannot be done in haste as well. Such constitutions will bring in chaos or they are not long lasting. We also have experience of formation of constitutions. We have taken this path through our vast experience.
Q: Public views and proposals are being considered in formulating a new constitution. But there are issues in getting public views. Different views were expressed in the recent past that this method will not be a success. What is your view on this claim?
A: People in our country do not submit their views that fast. They tend to be lazy in such matters. The committee to get public views visited every nook and corner in the country. They held awareness rallies in every district. The Media published them. Ads were published informing the public. There are groups whose main goal is to criticise. Chairman of the Constitutional Assembly Karu Jayasuriya recently stated that the assembly is open for the media. We will also launch a media committee. Then the entire procedure will be open to the public. At that point also, the public can submit their views. Thereafter, the new constitutional draft will be presented to parliament. In parliament too, public views can be presented through their parliamentary representatives. Saying that public views were not obtained properly and the committee in this regard did not go to some regions is a common weakness in the country. These are unfair criticisms.
Q: What was the procedure to select ministers for the Constitutional Assembly?
A: Electing members for the Constitutional Committee and its task committees was carried out in the recent past. Selection of MPs for committees was postponed to the next assembly date.
Q: The issue of devolving power will eventually arise in this procedure. The Prime Minister stated recently that devolution of power will be carried out in equal terms. Accordingly, the Northern Province will receive equal power just like other provinces get. Will not this procedure create certain issues in the future?
A: There are only two ways to devolve power: equal and unequal. After introducing Provincial Councils, they got equal power. We can discuss at the assembly if we are going to follow this system. We can also discuss the system of unequal power devolution and reach a consensus if we formulate what is needed in accordance with the 13 Amendment or go beyond 13A. Task committees have not formulated any draft to date. There are many views. We can reach consensus after discussing all these views in the assembly.
Q: People are in such a dire situation that they cannot celebrate this New Year. The prices of goods have gone up very much. Even the price of an egg is at Rs. 20. Festival advances and salaries have not been given. Really what is happening?
A: Yes, the country is being economically challenged now. This government increased salaries by Rs. 10,000 as soon as they came to power. Former government did not grant any increment. Now there is a legally accepted basic salary. The increment of Rs. 2,500 has been added to that basic salary. So there is some livelihood improvement for government and private sector employees. We all can recall that those days no one was able to express ideas on such issues. Any one who spoke against the government was killed or jailed. Now those things do not happen. So the Media makes a loud noise even over a small matter. The government is carrying out many viable plans to bring down the cost of living. We have to celebrate the New Year amidst all these difficulties. If we can celebrate the New Year grandly and get away from all the other important things, it is good. But we cannot. We have to manage the entire economy proper and find solution for our burning issues.
Q: Joint Opposition left the country to Geneva accusing that the government does not provide them with freedom but only accusations. Why does the government act in this way?
A: We have to question them as to what injustice we have meted out to them. It is an utter lie to say that they are not allowed to speak in parliament. Parliament queried what party they represent in parliament. It is an issue in the opposition. They do not have to visit Geneva for not having enough time in parliament for them to express their views. Not only for speaking, but also for grinding chilies, smashing coconuts and every other thing, they have freedom. They go to Geneva and lose their baggage. They need not visit Geneva because they can solve this in parliament by smashing a coconut and grinding a little amount of chilies.
Q: How can they support in formulating a new constitution in this way?
A: We request them to get away from all these jokes. If they want to make people laugh, it is ok. These things happen in any parliament and those are not reasons enough for agitations. We request them to extend their genuine support to formulate a new constitution. It is everyone’s responsibility to take part. So, we request them to work together with us leaving narrow political agendas aside.
Q: A suicide bomb jacket and a haul of explosives were found in the North. Underworld resurrects. Do not these events signal that the security of the country is in jeopardy?
A: Even though it seems underworld gangs are reemerging, actually they are surrendering. When Dematagoda Chaminda was shot dead, against whom steps are to be taken? By killing Chaminda, hearing of the relevant court case was prevented. It is understandable if it is government or an individual who killed Chaminda. We are alert to this ongoing situation. We do not use State terrorism to suppress underworld. The Police and country’s law achieve that end.
Yes, finding a suicide bomb jacket from the North is a major issue. But it also shows the sheer ability of the tri forcers to protect the country. There are groups who got elated hearing this news. A group exists that seek blood of Sinhala and Tamil people. They created fiction to rouse the public. They try to push the country towards a bloodbath. But the era of warriors and rationalist is over now.
