CC stalemate continues

Uditha Kumarasinghe and Irangika Range

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told Parliament yesterday, that the problem with regard minor parties’ representation at the Constitutional Council has still not been solved and President Mahinda Rajapaksa will look into the matter and take a decision on the rest of names that have been proposed.

He was replying to a special statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe demanding the immediate appointment of the Constitution Council.

“The implementation of the 17th Amendment was delayed since a number of problems arisen on this issue had not been sorted out yet,” the Premier said.

“As the Opposition Leader had mentioned earlier, we submitted a list of five names”, he said then the Attorney General informed that six names should be there including the representative from the minor parties.

There was a disagreement among the minor parties of their nominee and unfortunately once the a name had been forwarded, the nominee has withdrawn his name,” he said.

Therefore, that the problem regarding the appointment of the nominee representing the minor parties has not been solved yet”, he said.

He said there are several complaints against those who were willing to assume the posts as well.

Meanwhile, several problems have emerged regarding the two representatives, Wigneshwaran and Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda nominated by both Prime Minister and Opposition Leader. Now Wigneshwaran had informed that he would resign from the public work.

Therefore, President Rajapaksa will look into the matter recommended representatives and appointments should be made under his considerations. “It is the responsibility of the Government,” he said.

The President has been vested with powers in the Constitution in this regard. Therefore, measures have been taken to find the facts on the recommended nominees and appoint them.