Govt will act promptly to appoint CC

Rohan MATHES

COLOMBO: Media and Information Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa asserted that prompt and necessary action would be taken to establish the Constitutional Council (CC), when the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee are known.

Minister Yapa made this assertion at the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday, in response to queries from journalists.

He said it was well-known and accepted in the political circles that there could be a host of practical problems when the CC is operational. It had been evident in the past that there were inherent flaws and deficiencies in the CC when operational.

A responsible Government ought to ensure that there would not be clashes between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary, which in the affirmative would be to the detriment of the nation.

“We are earnestly awaiting the Select Committee findings and their related recommendations which we believe would be out soon. We will take prompt action in this regard, once they are known”, he said.

Fielding questions from journalists pertaining to the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Minister Yapa said that the Government was willing and ready to implement the 13th Amendment by fully devolving power to the local bodies at Provincial level.

Referring to the temporary withdrawal of the MEP and the JHU from the APRC meetings, he pointed out that this was an issue which warranted not only the MEP and JHU assistance, but the support of all political parties, inclusive of the UNP which has now indicated their fullest assistance and co-operation in the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

“Minister Tissa Vitharana who has painstakingly acted and carried forward the APRC proceedings, has been entrusted and given full powers to continue the process and do the needful in this regard” Minister Yapa added.