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lead SLFP Media spokesman Weerakumara Dissanayake - Pic by Ruwan Walpola
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will decide its stance on the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution following discussions with party members, SLFP media spokesperson and parliamentarian Weerakumara Dissanayake said yesterday.
Addressing members of the media at the party headquarters, Dissanayake at first stated the party will vote for the proposed 20th Amendment, but later said the party will make a decision following discussions. “While the SLFP takes the positives in the proposed amendment, it will also intervene to further improve it,” Dissanayake said, explaining that the party was keen on bringing the proposed 20th Amendment to a constructive place, rather than debating if the party should vote for it.
He added that discussions will take place in the next two weeks and will consider different opinions and ideas among party members. The SLFP is also studying the proposed Amendment and preparing a report to ensure party members are informed on it.
Addressing questions regarding the SLFP’s support for the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which the proposed 20th Amendment will repeal, Dissanayake said serious issues arose during the implementation of the 19th Amendment.
“This is why the former President, even during his term, said there was a need for an alternative,” the SLFP media spokesperson said, explaining that the main weakness of the 19th Amendment was the divisions of power created between the President, Prime Minister, and the Speaker.
“If there is no conflict between those holding these positions, it is good for the 19th Amendment. However, it cannot go forward if there is conflict. The mandate is to create a solution that does not cause such conflict,” he added.
With regard to independent commissions, which the proposed 20th Amendment will weaken or abolish, Dissanayake said it was more important to find a solution to address the weaknesses of the commissions as opposed to arguing if commissions should be abolished.
When asked if the SLFP will vote for the proposed 20th Amendment if it abolishes independent commissions, Dissanayake said there was time to discuss the matter and make a decision. While remaining noncommittal on the topic, Dissanayake added that discussions on the status of the commissions will take place in the coming days.
In response to a question on Sirisena’s remarks and statements at and regarding the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks, Dissanayake said, “We will not share our views on what is taking place at the Commission. The reason being that the SLFP Chairman and former President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena answers all questions at the Commission.”
He added that the party condemns all opinions targeted at Sirisena.
