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21A: SLPP divided, Sarath W takes clear stand against it
Prez reminded of promise to enact new Constitution
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP lawmaker Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera has declared that he will not vote for the proposed 21 st Amendment to the Constitution under any circumstances.
The former Public Security Minister and Colombo District lawmaker said he couldn’t accept the 21st Amendment as it was meant to restore the provisions in the treacherous 19th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in 2015.
MP Weerasekera said so at a meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday (30) evening at the President’s House to reach a consensus on the proposed Amendment.
Among those who had been present at the discussion were Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa, MP, members of the cabinet and members of Parliament.
At the onset of the meeting, Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, has briefed the gathering of the proposed Amendment meant to do away with the 20th Amendment enacted in Oct 2020.
Lawmaker Weerasekera asked how he could accept 21 Amendment after having voted against the 19th Amendment that sought to empower the Premier at the expense of the President.
The former Navy Chief of Staff has questioned the move to amend the constitution, hastily in response to essentially an economic crisis. The former minister said that he kept quiet in spite of the appointment of a new Prime Minister along with cabinet of ministers. However, a blind eye couldn’t be turned to the controversial moves to bring back provisions of the 19th Amendment, MP Weerasekera said. The nationalist warned that enactment of 21 meant the betrayal of 6.9 mn people who exercised their franchise in support of wartime Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Nov 2019 presidential election and the SLPP at the subsequent general election in August 2020.
MP Weerasekera asked how President Gotabaya Rajapaksa could hand over executives powers bestowed on him at a national election to a person who represented Parliament with just one vote there. The ex-minister urged the grouping to take into consideration the President had been elected whereas the PM was selected.
Lawmaker Weerasekera emphasized that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa couldn’t follow a course of action contrary to that of his overwhelming mandate.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last month invited UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to accept premiership in the wake of violent protests demanding the resignation of both the President and Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, who quit on May 09.
The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya, the JVP and the BASL are still pushing for the abolition of the executive presidency.
MP Weerasekera, who transformed the Civil Defence Force from a ragtag outfit into a fighting arm during the war also questioned the status of the draft Constitution prepared by a 9-member expert team led by President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva. The Navy veteran said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa received a mandate to enact a new Constitution. Therefore, a constitutional amendment couldn’t be brought into appease those bent on working against the wishes of the people.
However, several lawmakers, including Harin Fernando, Charitha Herath and Nimal Lanza backed the 21 Amendment. They strongly endorsed the proposed amendment that has received the backing of a wider section of the public. However, the BASL insists the amendment in its present form didn’t meet the aspirations of those demanding the restoration of democratic governance.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
Latest News
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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