SJB says SLPP rebels’ proposal doesn’t reflect demand for Gotabaya’s resignation

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and the SLPP rebel group haven’t been able to iron out their differences as regards the urgently required proposed 21 Amendment to the Constitution meant to address the current political crisis amidst the worst post-independence economic fallout, political sources say.

Parliamentary sources told The Island that the dispute was over the SJB’s push for the abolition of the executive presidency. Both groups have handed over their proposals to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. The SJB, which comprises 54 members in Parliament recently lost one of them when its National List MP Diana Gamage accepted a State Ministry.

Colombo District MP Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, handed over the constitutional proposal.

SLPP rebel Gevindu Cumaratunga explained that they basically agreed on the urgent need to curtail powers and immunity granted to the executive by way of the 20th Amendment. The SLPP rebels consist of about 40 MPs.

Acknowledging that the members of the rebel group had voted for the 20th Amendment, National List MP Cumaratunga said that they had done so following President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s assurance that a new draft new Constitution would be unveiled within two years after the Nov. 2019 presidential election.

Responding to queries, in terms of the SLPP rebels’ proposal the President should appoint the Cabinet of ministers in consultation with the Prime Minister, restore the 10- member Constitutional Council to ensure transparency in key appointments, including those in the judiciary.

The SLPP rebel group has made this proposal against the backdrop of its formal request to President Rajapaksa that the entire Cabinet, including the incumbent Prime Minister should step down. Cumaratunga emphasised that the group remained committed to their original demands that they had handed over in writing to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Referring to the proposed CC, MP Cumaratunga said that the SLPP had recommended that three civil society members of the outfit chaired by the Speaker should be suggested by the Organisation of Professionals’ Association (OPA), Chamber of Commerce and the University Teachers. The two other main recommendations dealt with the public sector procurement and the denial of foreign passport holders the right to contest parliamentary and presidential elections.

Cumaratunga said that they were still making an attempt to convince the JVP to back their constitutional proposal. “We are still hopeful that a consensus could be reached as the continuing delay caused further deterioration of the national economy. All political parties realise the growing threat due to uncertainty and economic turmoil,” he said.

Responding to the SBJ demand that the abolition of the executive presidency should be part of the proposed 21 Amendment, MP Cumaratunga said that the main Opposition appeared to have changed its stand on the executive presidency. Having asked for a balance of power between the President and the Parliament, the SJB had overnight demanded the abolition of the executive presidency, MP Cumaratunga said.

Cumaratunga dealt with this issue in Parliament yesterday. The leader of civil society group Yuthukama pointed out that the executive presidency couldn’t be abolished as long as the Provincial Councils systems introduced in terms of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution remained.