It’s all in Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma
The proposed Constitutional changes are all in the Mahinda Chintana
Idiri Dekma, the policy manifesto of President Mahinda Rajapaksa
introduced at the last Presidential election, said Economic Development
Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday. He was speaking at the meeting held
by the President with Heads of media institutions and Editors at Temple
Trees.
Refuting arguments put forward by certain Opposition politicians and
others, Minister Rajapaksa said that the proposals have not been
suddenly brought forward but are all spelt out in the election
manifesto. Quoting from the text of the Idiri Dekma he explained that
the UPFA has not pledged to abolish the Executive Presidency. It had
clearly stated its desire to revise the Executive Presidency to make it
more answerable to the Parliament. The proposal to make it mandatory for
the President to visit Parliament at least once in three months is a
fulfillment of that pledge, he said.
The Idiri Dekma also proposed to replace the 17th Amendment with a
workable arrangement in which there would be no stalemate that would
hinder the functioning of the public service.
The Parliamentary Council proposed has done away with all defects of
the Constitutional Council and comprise Members of Parliament. In the
new set up members of the Council are proposed by Parliament and the
President could only appoint them.
However, in case of a delay the President is empowered to appoint
members so that there is no stalemate or delay. Minister Rajapaksa said
this is devolution of the President’s power to the Parliament. He said
there is nothing more in the new proposals than what was mentioned in
the Idiri Dekma. |