News
20A: PM in the same boat as SJB– Kiriella
By Saman Indrajith
SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella yesterday said that people had a right to know who had prepared the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and the government should reveal the names of its architects.
Addressing the media at the SJB Headquarters in Etul Kotte, MP Kiriella said: “Those who framed all Constitutions since 1948 are known. In 1948, we got a constitution that had been prepared by Lord Soulbury. The preparation of the Soulbury Constitution. All parties including delegations from Jaffna, Up-country and Southern provinces were given the opportunity to submit their proposals. There was a framer so others could contact him to make suggestions. That should be the procedure. After that in 1970, we had the Republican Constitution. It was framed by Dr. Colvin R. de Silva and others. We had a Second Republican Constitution in 1978 with President JR Jayewardene as its author. President Chandrika Kumaratunga tried to introduce a new constitution – Prof G. L. Peiris was its author. Thereafter, we brought in the 19th Amendment to the constitution. I presented it to the House. It was prepared by Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne.”
“Now, we have before us a draft amendment which has no architect. As MPs of the Opposition whom we to question on the content of the draft Bill? Everybody we have contacted in the government told us they were not aware of the content of the draft bill. Justice Minister too says that he did not draft it. We have a right to know who drafted it.”
The MP said that the government should explain to the people who had made the draft bill. “The Prime Minister too is in the same boat as regards the content of 20th Amendment Bill. So, how can the government defend this in Parliament or anywhere else? When the draft bill was presented to the Cabinet, the ministers had been notified that it was there to be approved and not discussed. It would not be that easy when the Bill is presented to Parliament.”
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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