‘Gammanpila initiated a new political culture by taking public into confidence’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

SLPP parliamentarian  Gevindu Cumaratunga is confident a new draft Constitution will be presented to the country before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa completes two years in office in November.

Cumaratunga, who is also the Chairman of the Yuthukama civil society organisation told The Island that President Rajapaksa assured the government parliamentary group of his intention to do so before the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution last October.

The Parliament endorsed the 20th Amendment with an overwhelming two-thirds majority.

The 20th Amendment incorporated a key provision in the 19th that restricted both presidential and parliamentary terms to five years each.

A nine-member committee led by Romesh de Silva, PC, is in the process of formulating the new draft Constitution.

The grandson of Sinhala literary genius Munidasa Kumaratunga said that the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) led Opposition could quite rightly move a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the government if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration failed to fulfill its mandate.

Responding to another query, Cumaratunga said that during his brief speech in Parliament on Monday (19), on the opening day of the two-day debate on the NCM moved against Energy Minister Attorney-at-law Udaya Gammanpila the issue was addressed.

Pointing out that the SJB lacked sufficient strength in Parliament to at least to challenge the government, MP Cumaratunga said that the SLPP received two strong mandates in Nov 2019 and Aug 2020 to introduce a new Constitution.

Referring to a relentless campaign undertaken by Yuthukama after the 2015 change of government, MP Cumaratunga emphasised that the government remained committed to introducing a new Constitution that guaranteed security of the State and equality in law. Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the 1978 Constitution had been eroded by enactment of various amendments to appease those who had pursued agendas inimical to overall national interests.

The MP asserted that in spite of a delay in the new Constitution making process due to the eruption of Covid-19 epidemic the draft Constitution could be presented by Nov. Yuthukama leader expressed confidence in unveiling the draft Constitution at the completion of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s second year in office as the latter declared his intention to seek a second five-year term.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was responding to a query posed by Rupavahini Chairman Reginald Cooray, a former lawmaker who served as the Northern Province Governor during Maithripala Sirisena’s presidency.

Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the SJB handed over its much-touted NCM against the Energy Minister to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, on June 15. However, the SJB as well as the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, in a statement issued on June 12 questioned the rationale in moving a NCM against the Energy Minister over the increase in fuel prices as it was decision subjected to Cabinet approval.

MP Cumaratunga said that the two-day debate on NCM against the Energy Minister was nothing but an utter waste of time and resources. When attacked over the announcement that he made on June 12, Minister Gammanpila quite intrepidly set the record straight.

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader had no qualms in pointing out that the decision to increase the prices of fuel was taken on June 09 at the Cost of Living Committee meeting, chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and attended by several others, including Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Noting that Premier, in his capacity as the Finance Minister authorised the fuel price hike in writing, MP Cumaratunga said that the issue at hand should never be the basis for NCM.

Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the country faced a daunting challenge in meeting the growing oil bill. Referring to Sri Lanka’s efforts to develop oil wells and natural gas site off the northwest coast, MP Cumaratunga underscored the importance in bolstering renewable energy sources.

The Yuthukama Chief said that Minister Gammanpila had set an unprecedented example by taking the public into confidence by telling them the unpalatable truth. Paying a glowing tribute to the PHU leader for initiating a new political culture, MP Cumaratunga said that the public shouldn’t be deceived under any circumstances. The MP pointed out that at the onset of attacks on Minister Gammanpila, the Presidential Secretariat on June 13 confirmed the crisis caused by the CPC and the CEB being in debt to Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank to the tune of Rs 737 bn.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his address to the nation, about 10 days later admitted the challenge in meeting annual loan payments amounting to USD 4 bn, lawmaker Cumaratunga said.

Yuthukama leader said that fuel price changes effected on June 12 remained unchanged though some speculated about downward revision. The MP said that Minister Gammanpila proved that whatever the criticism he wouldn’t change his stance to appease the crowds.

In the wake of SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam demanding Minister Gammanpila’s resignation on June 12, a group of lawmakers issued a statement backing the PHU leader. Minister Gammanpila’s resignation was demanded on the basis he acted contrary to the government by increasing fuel prices.