Constitutional Council nominations: President seeks urgent action from Speaker

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara to consult those who need to be consulted to expedite the process of forming the Constitutional Council.

The President in a letter to the Speaker yesterday pointed out that the delay in appointing the Constitutional Council has led to serious disruption of the administration in forming the National Police Commission, Public Service Commission, Elections Commission as well as the Judicial Service Commission and the Human Rights Commission.

President Rajapaksa also states that there is a public outcry that the delivery of public services has suffered due to these commissions not being appointed, and he was concerned that before long there will be dissatisfaction among the public in regard to the working of the Government.

The President informed the Speaker: "This is a situation that I cannot condone, and as Head of State and Government, I have to initiate meaningful steps to keep the Government's work undisrupted". He urged the Speaker "to consult those who need to be consulted and take urgent measures to nominate the full complement of members to the Constitutional Council at the earliest,".

The President said he awaits a response from the Speaker.