News
Don’t blame Constitution for grave lapses of Ranil and Maithripala -JVP
By Saman Indrajith
The country’s failed socio-economic-political situation should not be blamed on its Constitution, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday (22).
Participating in the second reading debate on the 20th Amendment, Dissanayake said that the failure of the yahapalana regime should not be equated with the 19th Amendment. “The 19th Amendment to the Constitution came into force under the weakest political leaders in recorded political history of the country––Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena. Otherwise, the 19th Amendment would not have been seen to be a failure.
“Most of the amendments to the 1978 Constitution have been brought in by governments that had a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Every Opposition voted against those amendments. However, there are two amendments brought in by governments which had only a simple majority. One was the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and the other the 19th Amendment. It is noteworthy that they received the highest number of votes in favour. Only one MP voted against both amendments.
Thus, this government is able to present the 20th Amendment not because there is a consensus among different political parties, but because it has a two-thirds majority.”
Dissanayake said: “We do agree that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution had its own shortcomings. However, its core intention was to strengthen democratic governance. If we are getting rid of the loopholes of the 19th Amendment, we need to orient our attempt towards a more comprehensive democratic framework. For example, Professor G.L. Peiris pointed out that members of the Constitutional Council cannot be removed. So, an amendment should be brought in to allow the removal of such a CC member. But if you are removing the whole of CC, that is not an act of strengthening democracy. The 19th amendment would have been a success if it had come into effect under a responsible political leadership. Blaming the failure of two horrible political leaders upon the 19th Amendment to the Constitution is not fair. Failure of the rulers should not be blamed upon the country’s Constitution. It is politically incorrect. Problems this country has faced are not constitutional; the political rulers are responsible for them. It was the executive presidency that has a destructive power vested in it. That is how J. R. Jayewardene expelled trade union activists, prohibited political parties, opted for an open economy with serious flaws. So, this socio-economic-political chaos has not been created by the Constitution. We as a political party believe in partial centralisation of power, but that should be done not to vest more powers in an individual but to strengthen institutions.
Dissanayake was also critical of a new provision introduced by the 20th Amendment concerning the appointment of ministry secretaries. According to Dissanayake the new provision enables a ministry secretary appointed by the executive presidency to be absorbed into the government service after concluding his or her service as the ministry secretary. “For example, if a military person is appointed as a ministry secretary by the Executive President, the appointment becomes legal. Now, this new provision allows this appointed person, at the end of his service, be appointed as the Director General of the same institution. This is absorption to the government service.”
President Anura Kumara Disanayake has appointed Acting Ministers for four ministries before his departure on an official state visit to Vietnam.
The appointments cover three ministries under the President’s purview — the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, which comes under the purview of Minister Vijitha Herath, who is accompanying the President on this official visit.
Accordingly, the following Acting Ministers have been appointed:
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Digital Economy.
Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Defence.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
[PMD]
Gen. Nakatani, Minister of Defense of Japan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees today [May 4].
The discussion took place in the spirit of long-standing bilateral friendship and focused on strengthening cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka, particularly in the areas of defense and regional security. Minister Nakatani extended his congratulations to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of Japan and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to collaborative efforts in ensuring peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
He also emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in maritime security and regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support through development partnerships, especially via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). She reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, economic reform, and national transformation.
The Prime Minister also shared the government’s vision for evolving the role of Sri Lanka’s security forces to include responsibilities such as climate response, humanitarian assistance, and maritime protection. The meeting further explored opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism, with both parties agreeing to deepen engagement across five key sectors.
The Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, and senior officials from both governments participated in the meeting.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
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