17th Amendment with amendments

Hiran H. Seneviratne

UPFA General Secretary and Education Minster Susil Premajayanth said the 17th Amendment will be implemented with amendments once the new Government is formed after the forthcoming General Election.

“The Constitutional Council will also be appointed with necessary amendments. Under the Mahinda Chintana - Future Vision, we will be introducing certain features in the Jana Sabha system to a higher level of the governing structure step by step to create a strong service,” Minister Premajayanth said at a media conference at the Mahaweli Centre yesterday.

Premajayanth said the Parliamentary Election is likely to be held in April 8 and the new Parliament will meet on April 22. Thereafter the 2010 Budget is likely to be presented to Parliament on April 28. At present Parliament has passed a Vote on Account for the first four months of this year, he said.

Election laws on February 19 which is 10 days after the dissolution of Parliament and last day for nomination will be on February 29.

The UPFA will field several youth, and professionals under its list and it is now in the process of finalizing names of candidates in 22 districts in consultation with UPFA coalition parties, Minister Premajayanth said.

He said the UPFA is committed to follow election and it is optimistic of obtaining a two-third majority to go for certain constitutional amendments.

They will also have a manageable Cabinet which will be necessary to move forward the country’s development projects, he said.

Power and Energy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said they are going to win the election with a two-thirds majority and the new Government will develop the country.