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| Friday, 18 July 2003 |
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Politics | |
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| Dinesh proposed as head of electoral reform committee by Nadira Gunatilleke and Rajmi Manatunga The Government yesterday announced it was willing to endow the leadership of the select committee on electoral reform on Dinesh Gunawardene, an Opposition Member of Parliament who earlier initiated a motion in the House on the subject. Cabinet Spokesman Prof G.L. Peiris said the decision was indicative of the Government's policy to change the present confrontational political culture. "The unfortunate political situation in the country has given rise to a need for an overhaul of the electoral system, especially the preferential voting and the Government is prepared to go very far in this area. The decision to grant the Chairmanship of the Committee was based on the need to have objective and broader views on the matters involved," he said. Meanwhile, the Government also requested the Opposition to forward their reservations and comments on the now-finalised proposals regarding the 14 oversight committees in charge of principle subjects of Government. Prof Peiris said that though the proposals were finalised after several rounds of discussions with both the People's Alliance and the JVP, MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa had complained that they encroached on presidential powers. "The proposals are entirely within the parameters of Parliamentary power. However, we are prepared to consider any suggestions," he said denying the PA statement. Accordingly, there will be a final round of discussions with the Opposition before the proposals are presented to Parliament. |
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