No nominations for MR: Rajitha

President Maithripala Sirisena has categorically refused to give nominations, an opportunity to enter Parliament through the National List or be nominated as prime ministerial candidate to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday. 

Sirisena had made these statements during a meeting he had with the special committee to liaison between the President and his predecessor, which was appointed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Tuesday. During a discussion with the members on Wednesday, President Sirisena had ruled out giving Rajapaksa a leg up to return to active politics. 

“He (Sirisena) is very clear on this. He told me clearly the SLFP would not give nominations to Rajapaksa nor would they earmark him as the prime ministerial candidate. Rajapaksa would not be considered for a slot in the National List either,” Dr. Senaratne told reporters.

He insisted efforts would be concentrated on passing the freshly gazetted 20th Amendment. The cabinet, which met for a special session last Friday, had agreed on a new proposal for electoral reforms via the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

Accordingly the Cabinet agreed to a proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena for a 237-seat Parliament. Dr. Senaratne defended the extension of seats from the 225 proposed by the United National Party (UNP) and insisted it was supported by the Prime Minister’s party. 

“They (the UNP) raised no voice against this, so I don’t see any problem going forward,” he insisted, adding the Government was doing all it could to pass the latest amendment at the earliest. 

The 20th Amendment which includes the new electoral system was gazetted late on Wednesday.

Acting Government Printer W.A.A.G. Fonseka said the English version of the gazette has already been printed. He said the Sinhala and the Tamil versions of the gazette would be released on Thursday.

The Government aims to present the gazette in Parliament by 30 June.

After it is presented to Parliament, the opinion of the Supreme Court should be sought, and at that point, objections could be filed if any. A special Parliament session could be summoned with regard to this when the next Parliament meets on 3 July.

When the Supreme Court opinion is informed to Parliament, the 20th Amendment could be debated and passed in Parliament.