JVP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya flanked by former MP Bimal Ratnayake and NPP Leadership Council member Attorney-at-Law Lal Wijenayake addressing a press conference held at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte,

By Saman Indrajith

The JVP-led National People’s Power yesterday called the proposed 20th Amendment to the constitution a betrayal of mandate the people had given to the government at the last general election.

Addressing the media at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte, JVP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the government, claiming to respect people’s sovereignty, had unveiled a draft amendment to concentrate more powers in the executive presidency at the expense of the rights of the people. The draft of the amendment envisaged stripping the Prime Minister and Parliament of their powers. Those who drafted the bill had shown that they had no trust in either their political enemies or the PM or their parliamentary group. The proposed amendment wouldgive more powers to the executive presidency than when it was under the J. R. Jayewardene government.

Amarasuriya said it was tragic and ironic that there were some Cabinet minsters who opposed the executive presidency in 1978, but were now fighting for the passage of the 20th Amendment which further strengthened it. “We see that some of those who had to go to jail because they opposed executive presidency are today supporting the 20th Amendment. We have decided to fight in and out of parliament against the proposed amendment and to take whatever measure to defeat it.”

Former JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake: “We have been warning the people of the dangers of giving a two-thirds power to any government. We are planning to create a public discussion on the 20th amendment. The most dangerous provision envisaged in the draft bill is to reduce Parliament’s powers as regards control over public finance. In parliamentary systems in the world, the control over public funds comes under the purview of Parliament. The proposed 20th Amendment is to remove those powers from parliament and this will pave the way for a dictatorship. The Amendment also seeks to remove the powers of the Auditor General to audit state sector corporations. We had the opportunity to bring corrupt state sector corporations such as SriLankan before the parliamentary watchdog committee – COPE. Such action would not be possible if the 20th Amendment is passed.

NPP Leadership Council member Attorney-at-Law Lal Wijenayake: The executive presidency is a threat to democracy. Therefore, Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power twice, promising to abolish it. President Maithripala Sirisena too promised to do the same. Now, these presidents have come and gone but the executive presidency remains. The proposed 20th Amendment will make the situation far worse. We urge the people to oppose this undemocratic amendment.