Karu says time for President to deliver on his recent promises

National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) President and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday declared that the time has come for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to deliver on his recent promises. He made the assertion during a media briefing at the new NMSJ office premises. Following are excerpts from Jayasuriya’s remarks at the briefing:

NMSJ President and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya

I believe it is the duty of our organisation to present its views on a number of issues affecting the country. It must

be emphasised that we are not expressing these views with the intention of either overthrowing the government or coming into power. Instead, we state these views as it is our duty as citizens and as an organisation to intervene in matters that affect the country and are important to the common good. 

Recently on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army, the President presented several important points that affect the survival and future of the country. We, who call for a just society and a democratic country have considered and analysed these ideas carefully since. We studied his speech in depth. If the things mentioned in it are fulfilled, we believe that he will be able to take the country forward and earn the respect of our society by fulfilling the wishes of the people even if delayed. 

On a previous occasion, our organisation presented the President with 15 important proposals prepared by our think tank. We urge the authorities to reconsider their position on these proposals. 

It is commendable that the President has admitted that there have been shortcomings in the last two years. During his recent meeting with the UN Secretary-General, the President has assured he would not only establish democracy but would also protect human rights in our country. Now it is his job to fulfil those promises.

The President has also stated that a new Constitution and a new electoral system will be introduced to the country within the next year. It is a very important and crucial announcement that will have a profound effect on this country. It is also commendable that he finally understands how democracy in the country has been destroyed by the adoption of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, which further strengthened the executive presidency.

The vast majority of the country's population today does not accept the current Constitution based on the executive presidency. Therefore, it is for the benefit of the country that the President also now understands the need for a new Constitution. The nature of this country, that is, its sovereignty, the nature of the sovereignty of the people, social freedoms and rights as well as the independence of the judiciary, is determined by the Constitution.

The National Movement for Social Justice has continuously advocated the need for a new Constitution. Our primary position is that the country’s legislature should be strengthened. Therefore, we too stand for the need to draft a new Constitution in line with our basic tenets. There are also a few key points that we as an organisation would like to emphasise here. 

Our country does not have a satisfactory history when it comes to the subject of Constitutional Reform. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land as well as the fundamental law. It is also the agreement reached with the citizens with regard to public administration. Therefore, any Constitutional reform and drafting should take place for the common good of the citizens ensuring the country’s stability. It must be done with honest intentions and with due respect, without any ulterior motives. 

At the same time, those who lead these reforms and drafting of the new Constitution must have a high level of knowledge on legislation and constitutional traditions. Certainly, the policies and traditions that should be safeguarded in the process of Constitutional Reforms must be protected. It should also be drafted with the active participation of the country’s citizens. At the same time, care must be taken not to repeat any of the wrongs done in this country’s past.

The first thing that needs to be done is to identify the basic principles on which the Constitution is to be drafted and to reach a consensus on those principles. Also, the document containing those principles should be published in advance to make the public aware of what is being proposed. Discussions on drafting a new constitution based on those principles should begin only then. 

The new Constitution drafted must be passed, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, as to whether it conforms to the principles established. We believe in a new Constitution and it will only be good for this country if it is implemented in accordance with such a process.

The President has once again stated that the “One Country, One Law” policy will be implemented in Sri Lanka. However, at present, there appears to be no such policy in the country.

Those who destroyed King Buwanekabahu’s royal court are now at large while still holding responsible positions in this country. Even those who have been sentenced to death by the Courts for serious crimes have been pardoned by the President. Ministers are even able to forcefully enter prisons and issue death threats to inmates. These are serious incidents. 

The first thing to be done is to set an example to the country by enforcing the law in relation to such incidents and we request the authorities to do so. In a situation where death row inmates are being pardoned, we are of the opinion that it would be most unjust to allow the entire future of a popular artist like Ranjan Ramanayake to be ruined. Justice should be delivered to Ranjan Ramanayake at least now. 

As a result of these incidents, we can observe that the Government is following two policies instead of one.