Prof. Peiris advocates power sharing based on parliamentary seats

By Ananda Kannangara

UNP MP, Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday said that if power sharing is adopted in Sri Lanka where ministers are appointed based on the ratio of parliamentary seats obtained by each political party, all Members in Parliament could get involved in national issues and other economic development activities.

“As Constitutional Affairs Minister under the Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga Government, I made such a proposal in August, 2000 and later forwarded a Constitutional Bill to Parliament by proposing power sharing to the Provincial Councils”, he said.

He said according to the proposal all Regional Boards of Ministers in the Provincial Councils would be appointed on the ratio of seats obtained by the political parties.

The former Constitutional Affairs Minister said that although many members of political parties and Parliamentarians recognised the positive outcome of this issue, the required two - third majority was not obtained.

“Therefore it was not implemented,” he said.

Speaking on the existing preferential system, Prof. Peiris highlighted several obstacles and shortcomings of this system.

Prof. Peiris welcomed the Government’s decision of appointing a committee, under the leadership of Minister Dinesh Gunawardene to explore the possibility of changing the present electoral system. He said that the ongoing talks between the UNP and the SLFP have so far shown significant improvements and added that this will immensely help to overcome the grave situation the country is now facing.

“Six sub committees have already been appointed to look into matters of national importance, including the ethnic issue, economic development, changing the electoral system, youth empowerment and social development,” he said.

“Both parties are expected to conclude talks before the end of this month on a significant note and we are confident that it would fulfil the aspirations of the masses in the country,” he said.

Asked whether the UNP would join the SLFP after the talks to form a national government, Prof. Peiris said that he was not prepared to make any comment on that issue at this juncture as the UNP’s main expectation was to end the North-East crisis and also to bring down the cost-of-living.