Sharp differences over Executive Prez, unitary status et al

By Shamindra Ferdinando

A nine-member committee tasked with preparing a draft Constitution is scheduled to meet government representatives over the weekend.

The SLPP (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna), PHU (Pivithuru Hela Urumaya), NFF (National Freedom Front) and MEP (Mahajana Eksath Peramuna) will make representations before the Committee.

The committee appointed in the first week of Sept. 2020 consists of Romesh de Silva PC, Gamini Marapana PC, Manohara De Silva PC, Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC, Samantha Ratwatte PC, Prof. Naazima Kamardeen, Dr. A. Sarveswaran, Prof. Wasantha Seneviratne and Prof. G.H. Peiris.

Romesh de Silva heads the committee.Sources said that the SLPP, PHU and NFF would make representations today (23) and the MEP tomorrow (24).

The government members will be the first to appear before the committee.

The NFF recently submitted a set of proposals to the committee. In addition to the NFF, civil society grouping Yuthukama represented in parliament made written submissions to the committee. However, the largest parliamentary group in parliament, the SLPP and the main Opposition, the SJB (Samagi Jana Balavegaya) refrained from submitting proposals.

A spokesperson for the PHU told The Island that his party’s proposals would be handed over today (23).

Sources said that the SLPP constituents were divided on some critical issues with the NFF, PHU and Yuthukama opposing somekey sections of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution enacted last October.

The committee had already done certain chapters. Contentious issues would be handled following further consultations.

Political parties represented in parliament, others that submitted proposals and those yet to officially make their position clear differ with the SLPP on the executive presidency.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has asked for the abolition of the executive presidency. It wants a ceremonial president whereas civil society group the National Peace Council asked for two Vice Presidents to represent Tamil and Muslim communities. The election monitoring group, PAFFREL called for the election of the President through a vote in parliament.

The TNA and several other parties, both in and outside parliament want the Prime Minister to head the Cabinet though in terms of the much amended Constitution the President remained the head of the cabinet.

The TNA, in its proposals, has recommended that both lands and police should be devolved subjects as provided for in the 13th Amendment.

The TNA comprising the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi, TELO and PLOTE has called for a region for the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The proposal to categorize Northern and Eastern Provinces under one Region wasn’t acceptable to the many political parties, sources said, referring to the de-merged caused by a Supreme Court ruling way back in 2006.