PARLIAMENT

Constitution amended to meet country’s changing needs - Prime Minister D M Jayaratne

Irangika Range, Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30 a.m. yesterday. After the presentation of papers and Oral questions the House took up the Second Reading of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution Bill for debate.

Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne yesterday stated that the 18th Amendment to the Constitution is not suggested to extend the term of the office of the President and the next Presidential Election will be held on the proper date.

Commencing the debate on the 18th Amendment to the constitution in Parliament the Prime Minister stated that those who are against the proposed Amendment to the Constitution are trying to mislead the public by spreading incorrect versions about it.

The Prime Minister stating the Constitution has to be amended according to the changing needs of the country said that J. R. Jayewardene introduced the Constitution in 1978 according to its needs but not based on public interest.

He limited the terms of holding the office of President to two. Under these grounds he had to amend the Constitution on 16 occasions of which majority was for petty personal needs.

The Prime Minister further stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa utilised the office to end the war that lasted for 30 years and to develop the country by uniting it, not to postphone the elections, to hinder the Judiciary, to suppress the protests, to provide security to the criminals, to sell the public property or to topple governments that were elected by the people’s mandate.

He also said that any Pradeshiya Sabha or Provincial Council member can be elected any number of times without any restriction according to the Constitution. But it has imposed a nutrition on the number of times a person could be elected to the office of President. One objective of this amendment is to remove this obstacle.

The Constitutional Council established by the 17th Amendment was very difficult to operate due to its complexity in composition and the appointment. As a result more administrative and legal issues occurred.

The Prime Minister further stated that the President promised while introducing the Mahinda Chintana Future Vision that he would make the office of President a custodian post and provide provisions for the President to participate at Parliamentary sessions to strengthen the bond between the Executive and the Legislature.

The objectives of the amendment is to repel the clause in the Constitution restricting the number of being elected to the office of President and Provide provisions to allow the President attend Parliament once in three months.

Another objective is to define the Constitutional Council again making its composition simple to make it a practical institution.

Another objective is to revise the powers and duties of the Cabinet and Public Service Commission to avoid the hindrances that they face.

He also stated that another objective of the Amendment was to include the IGP and Police personnel to the category of public servant and redefine the powers of the National Police Commission.

It is also proposed to redefine the composition and powers of Election Commission.

The Prime Minister expressed his strong belief that these Amendments would contribute to secure democracy in the country, expedite the public service and strengthen the development drive.

The Prime Minister further stated that the Opposition members when support this Government did not need to be afraid as President Mahinda Rajapaksa assigns duties to members after identifying their skills. He treats all alike irrespective of the party from which they come, seniority or age.

The Opposition once claimed that the Government had given the best ministries to the UNP members who crossed over.

“They also said the Government was running with the clever lot of the UNP who crossed over to Government the Prime Minister said. “I would like to query apart from the UNPers who support this Amendment, do the others belong to the category of ‘not clever.’

We are very happy that we have assigned fitting fields to those UNPers supporting the Government.

More than 16 members of UNP support us with this Amendment. Some of the UNPers clad in black yesterday in protest of the Constitution. But their leader wore a white shirt like us. Only his trouser and blazer was black. It is an indication that he is half agreed with the Government.

We know that this Amendment bill can be passed with majority of more than 160. There are wore UNP members to join us.

A Sumanthiran (TNA): We registered our strong objection to the manner in which this Bill is being rushed through. There is no notice to the public and only 24 hours was given to the Supreme Court to deliver their determination.

This House too had no notice of this Bill. Although there was general talk of impending Constitutional Amendments in the public arena and that removal of the term limits of the President was one of those, no proper intimation was given to anyone of the contents of this Bill. The Cabinet of Ministers has certified that this is urgent in the national interest.

Did the Cabinet have a copy or even a draft of this Bill? What the Cabinet certified and what was sent to the Supreme Court were too different versions and this came to light at the hearing in the Supreme Court. All right-thinking people have condemned this. The Organisation of Professional Associations, the Civil Rights movement, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka have all warned the Government not to resort to the “urgent bill” procedure.

There can be many fears. Some may be personal. But there is also the fear that if this is permitted to be discussed in public, it will be roundly rejected. There is room for such fear because the people of this country have repeatedly voted to abolish the Executive Presidency.

All progressive forces in this country are against the abolition of the term limit of the President. In all civilized jurisdictions that have the Executive Presidency have a two-term limit. They are all not less intelligent than us. It is a universal principal that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa: This 18th Amendment to the Constitution has certain objectives to be achieved. It has been intended to assuring of exercises of sovereignty by removing all the barriers of it.

The people should enjoy the sovereignty which is very clearly mentioned in Article 4.

The security of the country and the Executive powers of the people are expected to be fulfilled through the Presidency. Today the people can elect anybody to the post of the Presidency, ignoring the number of terms he held before. This strengthens the powers of the public.

TNA MP Sumanthiran expressed his opposition to the removal of this restriction. But the same party said on July 4, 2010, that their attitude is not negative towards the removal of two terms condition to contest for the post of Presidency.

The President has to visit Parliament at least once in three months. This makes his post closer to the members in the Parliament.

The 17th Amendment had many practical problems.

Through these amendments a Parliamentary Council is proposed. This responsibility is given to Parliament. So how can anybody say that this strengthens the Presidency? It is from the Parliament members that we select representatives for the Council.

It consists of Opposition and Government members. The equality is created through it. Even the right to give nominations for any member of Parliament is facilitated. This right was not there in the 17th Amendment.

This Amendment also tries to create an efficient and fruitful Government service.

This is also mentioned in the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ policy. Some claims that this removes the freedom of the Government service.

Power of the appointment of Government officers and their removal are given to the Cabinet. This power was there even earlier. We have simplified this system by eliminating the existing irregularities.

The Commissions are made answerable to Parliament. They have to submit their reports to Parliament.

The Public Service Commission has got its due powers. What is done, is to make the powers of Parliament higher than the Commission. There were problems in this Commission right from the inception. This Amendment would help overcome these problems. We have also included the Police Department to the Public Service Independent Commission. This would bring the Police closer to the public.

We have ensured media freedom through this Amendment. The independent Election Commission is given the powers to take decisions over election coverages.

This coverage was earlier done by one channel. The equality for media institutions created by this amendment. The staff of the Elections Department will be made members of the Elections commission.

There were various ideas about the 17th Amendment from the day it was introduced. The common candidate presented at the previous Presidential Election promised to remove the powers of the post of Presidency and create an Executive PM post. This was clearly rejected by the people. Therefore, we do not want to initiate what people have rejected. People wanted to continue the Presidency while making it answerable to Parliament.

This expectation is fulfilled by the 18th Amendment.

Members of this House have the right to work according to their conscience.

Therefore, anybody can come forward to support this people-friendly move which strengthens democracy.

I strongly believe that our Government and the President has the strength and capacity to make this country the Miracle of Asia.

Deputy Speaker Priyankara Jayarane takes the chair.

A. Vinayagamoorthy (TNA)

What is the necessity to bring this amendment to the Constitution at this stage? Who gave the Government the power to do so? We, according to our conscience, stand against the 18th Amendment.

The 17th Amendment was passed unanimously.

An independent Police and an independent elections Commissioner are needed to hold peaceful and fair elections.

Lakshman Seneviratne (UNP)

I am glad that I am standing here as a UNP MP supporting the Government. I think I made the right decision.

I have been represented in Parliament for 26 years. The Opposition yesterday took a decision not to attend the sessions.

The UNP is centered towards its leader. In 1999, even after holding many discussions with the President of that time, the Opposition leader took a decision to put fire onto the Constitution. If the UNP leader asks the members to stand on one foot, the members do so. There are a number of wrong decisions taken by the UNP leadership throughout history. There was no wisdom in the UNP leadership to understand the people’s hearts.

By introducing this Amendment now, the President has to show the people in the coming six years that he has done some service to the nation to be re-elected.

If there is any criticism against the Amendment, it should be expressed in Parliament. But the Opposition Leader ordered to quit the Chamber. That is why I say that he also supported the Amendment indirectly. The war has now concluded and it is time to start an economic war. We should all support this endeavor without getting offended with each other. Tissa Attanayeka, MP had stated last week that there would be no member from the UNP to the Parliamentary Council. What they are going to do is to delay this again.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka:

As the JHU, we had a consistent idea over the Amendment. We are a far-sighted party. We are very happy today that Sri Lanka is stepping towards a new stage in politics, with the 18th Amendment.

Some in this House are trying to strengthen terrorism those days. They still represent the House. They were the people who attempted to destroy the country.

During the last few days of the war, the country had to face many foreign threats. It is by overcoming these threats that our President helped conduct the battle to victory.

In 2005, we stepped started an operation to strengthen the State. This process should not be halted.

Today the people have given a clear franchise to take the country as the Miracle of Asia. Today a system that gives opportunity for talent should be created.

As the Power and Energy Minister I have introduced ‘Talent Based Promotion’ with effect from September 1. The terms of holding the Presidency should be decided by the people and not by the Constitution.

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka (DNA)

Today is an important day. Because this marks the funeral of democracy. Parliament has become the cemetery that buries democracy. This shouting of the government MPs can be understood. Because their existence and survival depends on the extent of how much they shout.

The failure of democracy is clearly seen. We witness attacks for peaceful rallies, revenge taking from people for political reasons and influencing media institutions. The insanity of autocratic rule could be observed. The last nail in the coffin of democracy will be inserted today. Its results will be experienced by our future generations.

Even for the 978 Constitution they obtained a 5/6 majority of the Parliament. We see its results today.

These amendments were brought to strengthen the powers of the President.

The Government has failed to win the people’s confidence for these Amendments. People’s views and ideas must be considered before the Constitution is amended. It should also change through the comprehensive discussion of the MPs with all parties. This amendment will cause negative effects for the country’s future. The Presidents election campaign was based on the introduction of new Constitution. We have to introduce the new Constitution which suits for the people’s will and country’s social and economic development.

But you did not do it You only wanted to protect your powers. Most of them in the ruling party are opposed to it. The 17th amendment has not been mentioned. Only strengthening the power of the President. Today the Police is dancing to the tune of the Government.

The police should be independent and ruled by the Independent Commission. Illegal activities of some people have been legalized through these Amendments.

Construction, Engineering Services Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa: There are certain elements who are against the restoring of peace in the country. That is why they are against the Amendments.

These parties are trying to destroy political stability. We do not want political instability in the country. We need the country to move forward through the massive development. The People need the consolidating of peace and good future for their children.

All the developed countries reached that stage through political stability. That is why the people gave a massive mandate for President at the last Presidential Election.

Rauf Hakeem (SLMC):

The SLMC has decided to support the Amendment Bill. The SLMC’s decision was reached at after thorough retrospection.

The substance of this amendment is one issue, the procedure is another issue and the use of the power vested on the President is another issue.

The SLMC support created an environment for the Government to get the 2/3 majority comfortably for this Amendment.

The President has clearly stated that the need was not to go for a third term or go beyond but to create a stable Government during second term.

When a Government received a two third majority there was an assault on democracy and on good governance. It happened in 1956, 1970 and in 1977. But President Mahinda Rajapaksa has realized these points. The provisions to allow the President to attend Parliament would strengthen the powers of this house as a primary watchdog of public finance.

When I met him his desire to attend Parliament was clearly visible.

Professor G.L. Peiris (External Affairs Minister):

The 18th Amendment to the Constitution is presented and many myths have been crated in this respect by the Opposition.

Through these arguments the Opposition members attempted to prevent this Bill been taken before Parliament for debate.

It was argued that this Bill cannot be taken up in the Parliament.

The Provincial Council had to be consulted before it is taken up, as it has not done so this cannot be embarked in the house.

Before a Bill is debated here it should be referred to the Supreme Court in order to be tested for its constitutionality.

The Supreme Court judgment says that it did not require to be gazetted or be referred to the Provincial Council. Much to be regretted this attempt to prevent this Bill being taken before Parliament was made against enactment of law of this country.

Another myth is that this Amendment was to extend the term of the President.

But here a President who held office for two terms can be elected by the people for another term.

This is enlarging and strengthening the franchise of the people. It was the wish of the sovereignty of the people restricted by the law.

At least once in three months the President has to sit in Parliament. More members argued that the Constitutional Council should be preserved. But when the composition of the Constitutional Council is concerned they will be nominated by the political parties.

How will such a person nominated by a political party contribute his service for de-politicization. Those powers should be exercised by persons within this Parliament.

P H Piyasena (TNA):

This is my maiden speech. Our people had trust in the TNA. More than 100,000 Tamil people in my district live with many hardships. But today they are living happily due to the programs conducted by this President and his Government.

We have to do good for our people.

So I decided to take this decision. Once in a while a good leader is born. Such a leader is President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He is one such leader who belongs to the calibre of leaders like Mahathma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Muththu Sivalingam :

Since 1994 there have been attempts made to amend the Constitution. We being a minority opposed those Amendment.

If the people of this country wish for the President to be elected any number of times without any restriction then so be it.

If such a good hearted President is in office we would like him to be elected for any number of times.

Earl Gunasekara (UNP): I congratulate the President, Prime Minister, Basil Rajapaksa MP for brining up this golden Bill before this Parliament.

The mistake done by UNP was when the operation was in progress against LTTE, keeping silent. It was against own conscience.

I believe the Constitution should be amended not only 18 times, but even 100 times if necessary.

JVP likes if the country is going backwards. Because their politics lies upon poverty.

When we consider the 18th Amendment, it removes the obstacles in the 17th Amendment and strengthens the Constitution. The power is given to the Parliament.

The President should visit Parliament at least once in three months.

Which President in the history of our country, came to the Parliament and answered questions of MPs? It is President Rajapaksa who initiated it. We see President Rajapaksa as a person who can rule the country without a single problem for another 20 to 30 years. Therefore we extend our support to the Government to strengthen his hands.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister D E W Gunasekere: First I would like to say that our fullest support is extended for the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

We decided this after considering all the facts in the country and outside the country. Regarding the removal of the two term restriction to hold the presidency, we discussed with the President this matter on several occasions. We have no objection to its removal.

We could not inquire anything from the Public Service Commission before because they are not bound to respond to Parliament since they are an independent commission.

This is not the desire of one person or a party. Therefore all must contribute in making it. This affects the whole nation. Therefore everyone in this House has a duty to look into it.

Research and Technology Minister Tissa Vitarana: I would like to express the stand we take as leftist socialist parties. Even my colleague D E W Gunasekere expressed our status explicitly.

Dr N M Perera saw that it would lead to an autocratic dictatorial rule in the country. We witness such a situation during the J R Jayewardene rule. Buddhist priests were attacked, media personnel were attacked.

We are a party that is committed to the abolishment of the 1978 Constitution. There should be a proper devolution of power. We stand by that position.

However we also want to see massive economic development in the country in the coming years. To achieve this we are also joining to support this Amendment.

We see President Rajapaksa as a supporter and close associate of the Socialist movement. He has strengthened his relations with the Socialist countries. I believe that President Rajapaksa will be able to ensure democracy and strengthen it further. We give our fullest support towards it.

Sarath Fonseka (DNA): I think the Constitution in the country is needed to ensure the well-being of the public.

(Interruptions by the Government)

How can we expect democracy from a Government that does not even allow an opposition member to speak.

(Interruption)

Deputy Speaker Priyankara Jayaratne takes the Chair

It is not democratic if the current President comes to contest for the Presidential election again. It will not protect the rights of the public.

The power to appoint Department Heads is given to the Cabinet. How can we continue democracy when political interferences grow in Departments. The administration becomes difficult in these departments. The present Government is using the power in an improper manner.

(Interruption)

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Deputy Minister Wijith Wijithamuni de Zoysa: He is misleading the House. We never said that the Executive Presidency is good.

Sarath Fonseka (continues): I think the people cannot be deceived in this manner. We made a long journey to eradicate terrorism and likewise let us be prepared for a long journey to re-establish democracy in the country.

Rishad Bathiudeen (UPFA): Ashroff did not criticize the Executive Presidency. He held the view that it is good for minority parties. I think the Executive Presidency is able to touch the hearts of ordinary people in the country. We as minority parties, see executive presidency as a positive system.

Muslims were chased away from the North and East. Now, there is a social environment that all the people disregarding the race can live in peace and harmony.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: The nature of a Presidency is debated over and over again throughout the world.

The power of appointing or rejecting belongs to the people. There is no hindrance for this right of the people.

Therefore the criticism brought out today against the Amendment is a useless effort.

Generals are there to obey the orders of the Chief of Defence. When the President says to go forward he must go forward and when he says to come backwards he should do that as well. Generals cannot act according to their own will disregarding the orders. The President bravely guided the army forward and that is why he had to take the army forward.

Dinesh Gunawardene continues: It was only President Mahinda Rajapaksa who agreed to attend Parliament while being in the office of President. Is it not a victory of this Parliament.

The restriction that made a person being elected to the office of President is not applicable today. D S Senanayake was elected as the Prime Minister four times and Sirimavo Bandaranaike was elected three times to the post of Prime Minister. No body complained about that.

Saravanabavan (TNA): Our people engaged in a war their attempt ended at Wellamullivaikkal. Thereafter, a war started against them without shedding blood. The extreme of that war is this 18th amendment to the Constitution.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda: According to this amendment the restriction made to a person being elected to the office of President more than twice is removed. This decision is not against democracy of this country.

Very recently our party members met the President. He assured that with this amendment no hostility would be levelled against Provincial Councils.

He also said that there is ample room made for minority groups and their members. I request the TNA to join hands to do good for our people.

Abdul Cader (UNP): I stood to express my support to this amendment Bill. Today there are six members coming with me. I think there will be 175 votes in favour. Still there is one hour and I think there are more to join us.

We all cross over to the Government side.

Abdul Cader, Manusha Nanayakkara, Lakshman Seneviratne, Earl Gunasekera, Upeksha Swarnamali and Nimal Senerath Wijesinghe crossed the well and sat with the Government.

Vasudeva Nanayakkara (UPFA)

I vote with the Government. We are committed to protect the Government which has been elected to power with the biggest mandate. The main task is to ensure the rights of the people. If the Government is committed to protect rights of the people, we extend our support for it. This amendment will create a people’s friendly Constitution in the future. We must restore democracy in the country while creating political stability.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena

We will obtain highest vote to pass the amendment to the Constitution today. This victory will be used to develop the country while converting Sri Lanka into miracle of Asia. We will receive more than 160 votes. We never had seen such a large number of votes in the history of the Parliament. It shows the trust of the people upon the Government. We are committed to use this power for the betterment of the people and to accelerate development programs.

Today all Parliament members representing Polonnaruwa, Digamadulla and Nuwara Eliya have become Government members. The UNP and JVP have come up with various allegations. They do not have right to talk about the democracy since they have contributed in destroying the country.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was able to write history in gold by ending the war. Obtaining two thirds would also be another victory. This will move the country into a correct path.

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha

The Opposition tries to show that the country is going towards dictatorship. It is a total lie. Through this amendment, the country will move towards democracy. It is General Fonseka, who would have become a dictator, if he came to power.

Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe (UPFA): A two-term President presenting himself at a third Presidential ballot will have to convince the people that he is a deserving candidate among all the other candidates. The people will have a wider choice as to who they want to lead the country. The people, ultimately, will decide upon their preferred choice. This is the pith and substance of democracy. How then, Mr Speaker, can this be characterized as undemocratic or tending towards authoritarianism?

We are fortunate to have a President who has the ability and the will to lead us through great adversity. He has proven himself in the few years since he took Office. He led us through the armed operations against terrorism and the massive humanitarian effort. He led us through a global economic crisis all but unscathed. He has accelerated, initiated and put in place islandwide development initiatives that will make us the emerging “Wonder of Asia”. If the people wish to continue to repose their faith in his leadership and reap the obvious rewards for a longer period, who are we to stand in their way by continuing to maintain an arbitrary time limit on the Presidency?

The learned Justices of the Supreme Court have heard several strands of opinion and have determined on the basis of law and the Constitution, that this Bill is consistent with the Constitution. The Justices of the Court have made their determination based on dispassionate assessment of the arguments made before them. They are not swayed by political rhetoric and exaggerations of interested parties interested in impending the passage of this Bill. We should all respect the opinion of the learned Justices who have determined that the inalienable sovereignty of the people as given expression to in Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution is not infringed by the proposed removal of the time-limit on the Presidency.

The 17th Amendment was regarded as a salutary injection of good governance into the polity of Sri Lanka. Some even regarded it as the panacea for all that was evil in the governing processes. However, the speed with which it was drafted and the haste in which it was rushed through Parliament left many a flaw, that has up to now not been highlighted.

We must display the maturity and strength of character today to admit that an error was made and demonstrate that we have the means and the determination to carry through the Amendment before us today. It is heartening to note that there are many in this House who have pledged support for it in a bipartisan spirit for the good of the country and her people.

ALM Athaulla (UPFA): With the change of leadership, the directions of the country too change. Therefore, the leadership is very important to the country. When former President Premadasa was elected he sent back the Indian Army. This proves the importance of the leadership.

Youth Affairs Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage: Anura Dissanayake MP, took the USA and France for examples in his speech. But he didn’t take countries such as Malaysia and China for examples.

The people who shout about democracy today, supported the Constitution when it was presented those days. Therefore, we see that both the JVP and the UNP did not oppose the Amendment truly, but due to their hypocrisy they had to do so.

P. Digambaram (UNP): This Government is a very strong Government. When a Government is so strong, we have to decide how to get the demands that we have.

The directives are made that facilities should be made to do their work in the language that they prefer in every District Secretariat.

We think that this should carry forward.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa takes the Chair.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sumedha G Jayasena: We need to express our support to carry on the development work in the country after the conclusion of 30 years of war. Some countries try to use our country as a puppet. We should prevent this. By creating a strong Government we become enable to do this.

Today, the UNP has boycott Parliament. This is due to their jealousy by seeing the development work in the country. UNP members who oppose the Constitutional Amendment today, should rearrange their own party Constitution, and appoint a strong leader for themselves. The whole country supports the President because of his correct and strong leadership. I believe that, he will be reelected not only for the third time, but also for the fourth and fifth time if he contests.

Social Services Minister Felix Perera: In most of the countries where the post of Presidency is maintained, the Parliament elects the President. But in Sri Lanka the President is elected by the people. This is a special fact.

Most of the members in this House referred to the system in the USA. But the system in the USA is a norm and not a rule. Even Buddhist monks requested the President to hold the Presidency many more years.

Rajiva Wijesinha (UPFA): We should look at why this Constitutional Amendment was presented today. This is presented to remove the confusion introduced by the 17th Amendment. We need to move for a same electoral system and should strengthen the 13th Amendment.

Prabha Ganeshan (UNP): The war is concluded but the elements that gave incentives for the war has not ended. Therefore, we must get together to work for the country and its development. The highest point of democracy is the making of President answerable to Parliament. I request all the Opposition MPs to support us. Even TNA members can join us. It is evident that we will get more than 160 votes.

Sri Ranga (UNP): We have come to the 18th Amendment today. The Opposition was discussing whether to support the Amendment or not while being in luxury rooms.

We wanted to do something for the future generation of this country. We had to work according to our conscience.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: Today is a golden day in the history of Sri Lanka. I thank all the MPs who spoke for and against the 18th Amendment in this House today.

People select their representatives not to runaway from their responsibilities. But today UNP MPs ran away from it and they did not voice on behalf of the people they were selected. Today, we got the support of a TNA MP as well. This has not happened before. That is why I said that this is a golden incident and the emergence of a golden era is signaled today. This is an opportunity that enhances the support of the people given to the President. This is clearly shown in Parliament as well. The President did not use his power in an autocratic manner.

He is a people-friendly leader. Allowing the President to re-contest is a very democratic move. I think the establishment of commissions within seven days of the calling of nominations will be a relief for those who asked for it. We hope to present this Amendment as a one that has hardly any weakness.

The 18th Amendment for the Constitution was passed.