• Says political elements behind demonstrating disable soldiers to create disharmony among people 
• Accepting SLFP chairmanship made 19 Amendment possible
• Lack of understanding on challenges faced by the Govt.cause for misinterpretation 
• Urges all stakeholders to work together to achieve goals set out by Govt.

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that the tensed situation involving the protesting soldiers that occurred on Monday afternoon was the work of certain political elements aiming to gain millage by embarrassing the Government.

“There is a political backing for the protest to be staged as these demands have been made for the last eight years,” he said, speaking at an event held to commemorate the first death anniversary of Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, founder of National Movement for a Just Society at Foundation Institute. 

Sirisena said that he was informed of the demands only four months ago. 

“A Cabinet paper was submitted to grant their demands after I discussed the matter with the Defence Ministry and was approved,” he said, adding that the decision was relayed to the demonstrating crowd.  

The President claimed that had he been in the country, he would not have allowed the situation to escalate as it did on Monday. Instead of blocking them, he would have allowed the protesting soldiers to enter the premises, he said.

“I would not have asked the police to stop them. I would have allowed them to come in, allowed them to do whatever they wanted to do,” Sirisena said. 

Different elements are trying to destabilise the country and create disharmony among people, he alleged. 

Drawing on the work Sobitha Thero has done to bring in a new political culture, he appreciated the role played by the Thero in bringing the current Government into power. 

“For over 2500 years Buddhist clergy has advised the leadership of the country on governance issues, Sobitha Thero continued this tradition. His campaign resulted in the victory of the common candidate, and we have taken that responsibility,” he said. 

Highlighting that some people are satisfied with the performance of the now 22 month old Government which Sobitha Thero helped set up, he said that those unhappy with the Government’s performance lack understanding of the situation. 

“I delivered my promises, appointed the Prime Minister and launched the 100 day plan. The 19th Amendment was in this. We brought the Amendment without even a two-thirds majority, it was a difficult situation,” he said. 

President Sirisena told the audience that the 19 Amendment to the constitution, adopted soon after he took office, would not have been a reality had he not taken the SLFP leadership. 

“No matter what anyone says, it was made possible because I accepted the leadership position offered and was able to form a bridge with the SLFP group of MPs who supported the 19th Amendment,” he claimed.

He said that within the available framework, the Government has implemented change through the Amendment.

Speaking of the constitutional reforms, he said that the Government needs to secure and maintain a two-thirds majority in parliament. 

“There shouldn’t be any barriers to the agenda we have put forward. One element in it is the Constitutional reforms. There are misinterpretations here as well. There are challenges we face when working as a Government. There has to be a strong understanding about who we are dealing with and the challenges we face. Some challenges we cannot speak of, that is why there are misunderstandings,” he stressed, adding that the Government has to be cautious if they are to achieve their goals. 

President Sirisena urged all parties who helped bring the Government to power to work together to achieve their goals, promising to take into consideration some of the proposals put forward by Prof. Sarath Wijesuriya to consideration after discussions.

Pic by Shantha Rathnayake

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PM urges bipartisan support for constitutional reforms

• PM says proposals would be accepted only after proper evaluation and debate on subject matter
• Assures place for Buddhism in the proposed constitution
• Steering committee discussing options to stabilise country under a new system with the Prime Minister as ‘leader’

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe yesterday invited all political parties to take an active role in formulating and adopting new constitutional reforms. 

Speaking at the commemoration of the first death anniversary of National Movement for Just Society founder Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, the Prime Minister highlighted that no single party, not even the UNP, has the two-thirds majority required to pass a constitution. 

Highlighting that the steering committee set up to formulate proposals for constitutional reforms provides a platform to express independent opinions, the Premier said proposals would be accepted only after proper evaluation and debate on the subject matter has taken place. 

Dispelling doubts raised by different quarters about the place for Buddhism in the proposed Constitution, he assured that the current regard given for Buddhism will not change. 

“Such an idea has not been discussed nor has it ever been proposed,” he stressed. 

Wickremesighe also said that proposals to ensure rights of minority communities are protected are being considered.

“There has also been discussion regarding instances where Provincial authorities should be given power and a new electoral system has also been discussed. We will be abolishing the current preferential system while exploring possibilities of introducing a new system,” he said. 

The Prime Minister also highlighted that abolishing the Executive Presidency had been discussed. 

“The committee is discussing options on how to stabilise the country under a new system with the Prime Minister as the head,” he said.