By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmaker Dr. Rajitha Senaratne early this week revealed that a civil society outfit had prepared the 19th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in 2015.

Dr. Senaratne said that the government had accepted the document handed over by the civil society, the former minister said. The then government readily endorsed the proposals as it didn’t find any fault with them, Dr. Senaratne said.

The revelation was made at a special meeting called by the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) at Hotel Janaki, Colombo 05. Turning towards NMSJ Chief Karu Jayasuriya, who had served as the Speaker at the time Parliament overwhelmingly approved the 19th Amendment; Dr. Senaratne sought the latter’s consent to the contentious statement. Karu Jayasuriya nodded his agreement.

Addressing the gathering after Jayasuriya and SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara vowed to scuttle the 20th Amendment, Dr. Senaratne declared that the 19th Amendment produced by the civil society was the best piece of legislation. The former minister declared that the 17th and then19th Amendment had been enacted for the benefit of the people whereas all other pieces of legislation were meant to strengthen the government or rulers.

The 54-member SJB parliamentary group in parliament is the main Opposition.

Comparing the 17th Amendment enacted in 2001 with the 19th, Dr. Senaratne paid a glowing tribute to the late Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, the then Ravaya Editor Victor Ivan and journalist Waruna Karunatilleke for their role in promoting the 17th Amendment.

Dr. Senaratne also appreciated the role played by the then JVPer Wimal Weerawansa in pushing for the 19th Amendment. Dr. Senaratne attacked the stand taken by the Federation of National Organizations (FNO) as regards the 19th Amendment. Referring to statements attributed to Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera, Dr. Wasantha Bandara and attorney-at-law Kalnananda Thiranagama, Dr. Senaratne questioned their efforts to portray the 19th Amendment as a piece of legislation inimical to the Sri Lankan State or against the Rajapaksas.

Dr. Senaratne lambasted them for following an agenda detrimental to the well-being of the country, in the guise of protecting and promoting so called patriotic interests.

Former Speaker Jayasuriya, in his speech declared that the draft Constitution prepared in 2000 during Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s presidency was the best solution ever agreed by those who represented parliament at that time. Recalling his role as a senior representative of the UNP delegation for talks with Kumaratunga’s People’s Alliance, Jayasuriya said the country wouldn’t have been in a current mess if consensus could be reached on the implementation of the year 2000 proposals.

Jayasuriya said that Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Nimal Siripala de Silva, R. Sampathan, V. Anandasangaree, Dew Gunasekera and Prof. Tissa Vitharana represented respective political parties. Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris coordinated the overall project. However, the process collapsed at the last moment as a result of the PA proposal that the proposed new Constitution would come into effect only after the end of Kumaratunga’s tenure. Recalling the UNP setting fire to the draft Constitution in parliament, Jayasuriya said on the following day he received a call from Kumaratunga who claimed she hadn’t been aware of the controversial clause. The one-time UNP Deputy Leader quoted Kumaratunga as having told him she wasn’t aware who included that line.

Kumaratunga wanted the process to continue, Jayasuriya said, though their efforts failed. Speaking to The Island following the event, Jayasuriya said that UNP and PA subsequently held several rounds of talks at a neutral venue though agreement couldn’t be reached. Responding to a query, Jayasuriya said that two factors primarily contributed to the eventual failure of deliberations. Jayasuriya said that the PA’s demand that in case of Kumaratunga being indisposed, premier Wickremanayake should succeed her and Wickremasinghe’s insistence that the appointment of the cabinet should be his prerogative caused the breakdown.

Jayasuriya said that the government project suffered a setback. The Attorney General, on behalf of the government submitting to the Supreme Court a set of amendments to the 20th Amendment, was a victory for those opposed to the dictatorial move. The AG’s move proved that there hadn’t been proper consultations at least among the government parliamentary group before the draft was sent to the Government Printer.