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Seven Constitutional reform proposals for new political culture

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Government is ready to present a series of comprehensive Constitutional reforms to transform the political culture of the country and to ensure that past mistakes would not be repeated in the future, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government information Department, Prof. Peiris said the Government will present seven constitutional amendment proposals and another series of laws that need no constitutional amendments to create a new political culture in the country.

These proposals will be presented for comprehensive discussions among the public and no exact date has been fixed to present these Constitutional amendments in Parliament, the Minister added.

The seven proposals that need Constitutional amendments includes the establishment of 20 Executive Committees in line with the Donoughmore Constitution which was operative from 1931 to 1948.

"These amendments aim to ensure that there are no rigid differences between the Government and the Opposition. All MPs will have the chance to participate in decision making on issues of national interest," the Minister added.

The second proposal aims to establish a Social, Economic and Cultural Council enabling the civil society to participate in policy making, he said. The Council will include 20 MPs and 40 representatives from civil society organisations, he said.

The third amendment will enable the MPs to vote in Parliament in accordance with their conscience irrespective of their political and party affiliation and without depriving their Parliamentary seats.

The powers vested with the President to dissolve Parliament at a time the Government enjoys the majority votes in Parliament will be repealed under these reforms.

The Minister said the fifth proposal will enhance the powers vested with Parliament to oversee public finance with the establishment of the Audit Commission.

A special Tribunal entrusted with the task of considering the repeal of laws that were incompatible with the Constitutions will be established under these reforms, the Minister added. The powers vested with the President to appoint special Presidential commissions will also be abolished under these reforms.

A series of reforms will be presented to establish seven Oversight Committees to reports to Parliament on the implementation of laws, policies of the government and the operation of public enterprises.

The Parliament library will be strengthened and selected Parliamentary debates will be telecast live. MPs will be given more powers in taking decisions regarding the use of Decentralised Budget Funds.

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