News

NPC once again ratchets up arguments against 20A with fresh missive

Published

4 years ago

2020/10/13

If the 20th Amendment to the Constitution was to be acceptable, it should be passed like 19A with the entire House voting for it barring one, the National Peace Council (NPC) yesterday said, urging the government to reconsider the clauses in the draft 20th Amendment. Issuing a press release, the NPC said that some of the most respected civic organisations in the country, including clergy, trade unions, the State Auditors Association and the Bar Association have expressed their serious objections to the proposed constitutional amendment.

“Nevertheless, the government appears determined to strengthen the presidency at the cost of other institutions. The government’s public position has been that the presidency needs to be provided with the necessary powers and immunities to proceed with the urgent task of developing the country. The National Peace Council urges the government to reconsider its position,” the NPC said in a press release.

The NPC said that constitutions evolved over the centuries to be a compact between the government and citizens to protect the citizens from abuse by the rulers whether for good reasons or bad. “The protections of human rights and the resources of the people through judicial review, financial audit and parliamentary oversight stems from this desire to protect the people from the caprice of those who lead governments from time to time. The National Peace Council notes that the draft 20th Amendment to the constitution as it currently stands is an emasculation of the protections available to the people and also to other institutions of state available in the constitution,” the press release said.

The NPC said they were especially concerned about the removal from the Auditor-General’s purview of the audit of the accounts of “companies in which the Government or a public corporation or local authority holds fifty per centum or more of the shares of that company”. The power to audit these accounts was expressly conferred on the Auditor-General by the 19th Amendment which is now a part and parcel of the constitution.

“There seems to be misunderstandings of amendments which have been introduced from time to time are single and separate components of the Constitution. The reality is the current Constitution encompasses all amendments passed from 1978 onwards and is in fact is the Sri Lankan Constitution in its entirety. While the 19th Amendment was passed into law with only a 2/3 majority and without the approval of the people at a referendum the same is not necessarily applicable to the 20th Amendment. The National Peace Council holds the view that there is a ratchet effect in which human rights and democratic rights once given cannot be taken back on the same basis. The same is true of key aspects of accountability imposed on the state and its power holders to protect the rights of the people from abuse and pillage, whether it be audit or rule of law,” the press release said.

The 19th Amendment was approved by 215 of the 225 parliamentarians voting in favour and only one opposing it. The 19th Amendment is now part and parcel of the constitution and the repeal of its clauses is subject to the protections available in the constitution and therefore, any constitutional amendment to its content should have a similar consensus in parliament, the NPC said.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

Color: -Red Warning (Take action) Color: -Amber Advisory (Be prepared) Color: -Green Threat is over

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.

The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025

The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

Latest News

“Census of Population and Housing 2024” Report Presented to the President

Published

4 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.

This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.

The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.

The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.

Business

Central Bank Presents Annual Economic Review 2024 to President

Published

5 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.

The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.

AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.

According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.

Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.

The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.

[PMD]