JO urges President to take active role in constitutional reforms

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Outlining two strong comments made by local and international parties on the governance of the country, the Joint Opposition yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to take up a more active role in Constitutional reforms.

JO Member and Podu Jana Peramuna Chairman Prof. G. L. Peiris slammed the statement made by former member of the United Nations Special Panel Yasmin Sooka calling for an external inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by Tri forces. 

Prof. Peiris said that the Government should leave no room in the new constitution to allow for any international parties to interfere in local issues. Referring to another statement issued by Northern Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran about the central Government’s inability to effectively govern the Province, Prof. Peiris said the statement indicated how much the power of central Government has been weakened in the north.  “Wigneswaran had said that ruling powers of the central Government have failed and that the Government will not be able to recover. We wonder how a Chief Minister of a province in the country could make such a comment regarding the Government administration. President Sirisena should be more powerful to control them,” he said. Meanwhile, MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage claimed that Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s 2017 Budget did not address the mandate of the unity Government.

Speaking to media, Aluthgamage said that the budget had been prepared without the views of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

“The Government has a mandate to implement policies approved by the both parties, but this budget only carries out the economic policies of the United National Party,” he said. 

However, SLFP Media Spokesman and minister of the coalition Government Dilan Perera earlier claimed that 95% of SLFP proposals have been incorporated into the recent budget.