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| Sunday, 28 November 2004 |
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Features |  |
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UPFA in box seat Weekend Politics By Suraj & Viraj UNP's constitutional 'Pundit', Professor, Gamini Lakshman Peiris, a fine debater in his days at the school by the sea but not popular for elegant oratory, has been challenged by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to prove why his own document on the need to change the constitution prepared during his heydays in the previous People's Alliance government is now sour to him. This document prepared by the learned professor had been submitted to the President during his tenure as Minister of Constitutional Affairs in that government. Prof. Peiris even went a step further to advocate a Referendum to change the constitution claiming it would not need the required two-thirds majority as envisaged in the constitution. Peiris, a Professor of Law lacks experience as a practicing Attorney. He has not argued any constitutional matter before the Supreme Court. While Peiris was advocating the change of the constitution and the Referendum in the PA government, the much experienced President's Counsel, Lakshman Kadirgamar, a fine debater and a brilliant orator stood silent giving way to GL to have his day knowing where GL was going to end up. Kadirgamar's brilliance Kadirgamar's brilliance in oratory was proved to all on the day he wound up the infamous "Thawakkal Debate" in Parliament. There was pin drop silence in the House that day with members from both sides admiring the style, substance and the sequence of his brilliant speech in simple English. As President Kumaratunga speculated the calibre and style of Prof. Peiris, giving no surprise, the learned Professor joined the UNP ranks towards the end of her first government. This was no surprise as GL was a UNPer at heart playing a key role in the field of academics in the Premadasa administration era. In politics, his favourite subjects were Constitutional Affairs and Industrial Development under which the Textile Quota Board came. In the two-year UNP rule, GL ensured that these two subjects came under his purview.In the future, he would not have the Textile Quota Board under him as from 2005 it will be free quota. Be that as it may, Prof. Peiris now must reply President Kumaratunga on the latter's argument that it was Peiris who prepared the document to change the existing constitution. The President claims she has the document prepared by Peiris when she was in her cabinet. GL cornered Prof.Peiris advocated the need to change the presidential system of government during that period and addressed several press conferences in favour of that move. Now a story of a document prepared by him to that effect has been unfolded by the President. Will or can GL deny the President's position is the question. The President made this statement during an interview last week. But Prof. Peiris has chosen to remain silent. Cabinet Spokesman Mangala Samaraweera claimed that GL was chewing up his own policies. Choksy In the UNP these days, it is the same Gamini Lakshman Peiris who leads the battle against any change to the 1978 constitution. Like Kadirgamar keeping silent during the PA days when GL led the battle to change the constitution, UNP's constitutional expert,President's Counsel K.N.Choksy seems to keep away from the controversial subject giving way to Peiris to fight his case.Instead, Choksy, a former Finance Minister has chosen to make his contribution on the UPFA budget rather than entering the constitutional fray knowing well he cannot back Peiris who holds two opinions on the same subject at different times. History reminds History reminds that way back in 1997, GL as Constitutional Affairs Minister advocated a referendum to change the executive presidency. He took up the position that under Article 86 of the 1978 constitution, the government was free to hold a referendum to seek the people's opinion to change the system adding there was no necessity of a two thirds requirement under that Article. At that point, UNPs K.N.Choksy, argued that Article 86 was bound by the provisions laid out in Article 84 and if Article 84 was ignored,the referendum would not be legal under the provisions of the constitution. PA-UNP talks Choksy even proved superior at the PA-UNP talks to draw up legal framework to devolve power to the North and East as President Kumaratunga entertained most of Choksy's proposals into that document over looking light weight proposals of Peiris. In the light of these experiences, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should now think of using the experience of a man like Choksy who makes submissions in keeping with the provisions of legal codes. In the past few weeks, it was GL who argued that the next presidential poll should be held before November 2005. The Commissioner of Elections overruled that position this week when he declared that the next presidential poll was due only in 2006. SC to determine GL lost another battle. Choksy who opined on that issue placed his submissions in a manner saying it was a matter that had to be finally determined by the Supreme Court as arguments differed on the swearing in of the President who was the incumbent of that office at the time of being elected. The weakness displayed by UNPers like Prof. G.L.Peiris in making statements that bounce back has put the UPFA in the box seat. The UPFA maiden budget is through and for the first time a budget has not been severely criticised by the people and the business circles. The UNP experienced a double blow on the day the budget was presented when it was announced that Rohitha Bogollagama had joined the government and sworn in as a cabinet minister. The exit of Bogollagama has now opened the gates for others to join the government. There are several in the UNP who are now satisfied with the performance of the UPFA government. It is learnt that before the present budget debate concludes, there would at least be another three UNP stalwarts from prominent districts crossing over to the UPFA side. The UNP leader will be in for such shocks as the month of December approaches. UNP disorganised The UNP seems to be highly disorganised though several committees have been set up by the leader. The only committee that meets regularly is the political affairs committee chaired by Wickremesinghe. Last week's battle in Parliament between Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and Mahinda Samarasinghe from the same district was ample testimony that inner battles too had heightened. However, Samarasinghe later played it down saying Rajitha was his friend and they had an understanding between them. But, Rajitha Senaratne is yet to make a similar statement to prove both are still friends who have an understanding. In the Kurunegala District, party stalwart Gamini Jayawickreme Perera and novice, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam are reported to be at loggerheads. Kariyawasam, a close confidante of the UNP leader seems to gain ground in that district over veteran party man Perera. Similar situations are being experienced in the districts of Matara, Galle, Kandy and Anuradhapura where inner battles continue. Cabinet meets The Cabinet met on Wednesday and took many decisions to improve the country's road network to achieve speedy development. The Cabinet was chaired by Acting Defence Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was not present as he was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital for minor surgery. At the meeting Indigenous Medicine Minister Tissa Karaliyadde moved a resolution to thank Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama commending him and his officials for introducing a budget which had given benefits for every strata of the country. Another special Cabinet session was also fixed for Saturday. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was expected to chair the meeting. Sources said that this meeting had been called to discuss ways and means of tackling the increasing crime wave in the country. On Tuesday President Kumaratunga left the country for a two-day official visit to Iran with Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and Power and Energy Minister Susil Premjayanth. She has signed agreements with Iran for bilateral benefits. The JVP was last week busy organising many activities against the LTTE and pressurising the Government not to give in to the demands of the LTTE. JVP MP for Trincomalee District Jayantha Wijesekara removed posters of the LTTE pasted to gain publicity for their Mahaveera day. Wijesekara once hoisted a national flag removing an Eelam flag. JVP protest The JVP backed Inter-University Bikkhu Federation also organised a campaign to inundate President Kumaratunga with one million post cards urging her not to resume talks with the LTTE on the basis of the ISGA. Hundreds of Bikkhus from various parts of the country gathered in front of the Fort Railway station on Thursday to sign the message. Meanwhile, JVP heavyweight Wimal Weerawansa led a mass protest against the LTTE political killings along with other anti LTTE political parties and organisations at the Lipton Circus and proceeded towards the Norwegian Embassy. The protesters held a meeting there. Weerawansa in his usual fiery style made a speech against Norway and the LTTE. TNA MPs cry foul TNA MPs also on Thursday staged a protest in the well of the House against Army officials attacking 20 of their people in Mannar. They demanded an impartial inquiry into the attack. Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle promised them to conduct an impartial inquiry. TNA MPs said that they would disrupt Parliament sittings on Saturday if they did not receive a satisfactory answer. Former UNP Minister Abdul Cader was released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate Kusala Sarojini Weerawardane on Thursday. His passport was impounded. However, there was a marked absence of UNP stalwarts at his release. He was in remand for three and half months. |
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