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| Wednesday, 24 March 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| UNP Constitution a hindrance : Premajayantha by Anura Maitipe The present Constitution introduced by the UNP in 1977 has posed a great hindrance to the smooth functioning of governance, UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha told the Daily News. 'The country needs a complete overhaul of the present Constitution if it is to introduce changes beneficial to the people, such as electoral reforms and the abolition of the Executive Presidency,' he said. Premajayantha said when the PA Government was in power, Prof G. L. Peiris strongly advocated the need for electoral reforms and the abolition of the Executive Presidency. "But now he is singing a different tune to woo his leader," he said. The UNF has clearly understood that it cannot win the April election and its target is the next Presidential election. This is why Prof Peiris is splitting hairs saying "the Constitution cannot be changed without a two thirds majority." Prof Peiris wants to keep the present Constitution intact to elevate his leader to the Executive Presidency, Premajayantha said. The people are fed up with the Constitution and the majority of voters want to change it, Premajayantha said. He said Prof Peiris was critical of the requirement for a two-thirds majority to change the Constitution at one time whilst ignoring the sovereignty of the people. Whatever government in power, has to abide to the wish of the people and there is no escape hiding behind the very Constitution which has created numerous problems in the country, Premajayantha said.. The government was elected by the people not by the Constitution. Therefore the Government should respect the voice of people and not a mere piece of paper. The validity of the Constitution depends only as long as it serves the people's interest, Premajayantha said. |
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