Third term on with peoples� mandate - Minister
The proposed Constitutional Amendment is not an extension of the term
of Office of the President but intended to increase the number of times
a President can seek reelection.
An incumbent President will be reelected to Office only with the
mandate of the people, said Health Minister and SLFP General Secretary
Maithripala Sirisena.
He was addressing an awareness seminar on the 18th Amendment to the
Constitution held at the Mahapola Gnanapradeepa Hall, Mirigama recently.
Minister Sirisena said when they assumed power terrorism had engulfed
the country and almost everybody feared that the country would never
raised its head again while other neighbouring countries achieved rapid
development. But we have been able to forge ahead once again with our
ancient dignity and personality we have been able to defeat terrorism
under President Mahinda Rajapaksa�s leadership. The President rebuilt
the country�s image and mentality and proved to the world that we can
once again march towards development and progress.
Minister Sirisena said most people seemed to have forgotten the
country�s plight four years ago. Parents lived in fear until their
children return and children awaited the arrival of parents at their
home in fear thinking a bomb explosion may occur any moment any where.
We have now ended that tragic war and started rebuilding the country
from the pangs of war.
The Minister recalled that during the height of the war people wished
that a leader who ended the war should be entrusted with the country�s
administration for 20 to 25 years continuously to enable him to rebuild
the war-torn nation.
Since President Rajapaksa ended the war the people had given him an
unprecedented mandate at the Presidential and General Elections. Today,
there were 118 SLFP representatives in Parliament and the Government
commanded the support of more than 150 members in Parliament. This can
be described as the most powerful Government in the country�s history.
He said the proposed Constitutional Amendments are mainly aimed
towards ensuring the country�s development. It would not create any
dictatorship as alleged by the Opposition. It would only further
democratize the Government.
Minister Sirisena who said the UNP and the JVP were now merely
restricted to name boards said the Constitutional Amendments would be
adopted with the support of over 160 MPs on Wednesday September 8.
Therefore, the best option for the Opposition was to join hands with the
Government and assist in the national development effort. |