Most parliamentarians prefer a new constitution

By Ananda KANNANGARA
 

Imthiyas Bakeer Markar	Karu Jayasuriya	DEW Gunasekera	Rauff Hakeem	Udaya Gammanpila	Vijitha Herath

Trade unions, civil organisations and the public have again focused attention on a new constitution or amendments to the present constitution. The importance of a new constitution has also been highlighted by most parliamentarians, especially by Members of the Opposition.

The Soulbury Constitution was introduced in 1947 by the British when the country was under British rule.

Twenty five years after the Soulbury constitution, Sri Lanka introduced her second and third constitutions in 1972 and 1978.

The need for another constitution or amendments to the present constitution is now being discussed.

In this connection a seminar titled 'Towards a Democratic Constitution to Unite the nation' was organised by the Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity (BMCNU) under the patronage of BMCNU, Patron Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku.

The objective of the seminar was to create awareness among media personnel on constitution-making.

The seminar was attended by former Media Minister Imthiyas Bakeer Markar. Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister DEW Gunasekara, MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Rauff Hakeem, Vijitha Herath and Western Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila.

Former Minister Bakeer Markar said that many shortcomings could be seen in the 1972 and 1978 constitutions and highlighted the need for a new constitution.

He said the Government's proposed constitution must also include the people's views.

The new constitution should not incorporate the proposals and views of a certain section in the country to achieve their own goals and personal benefits".

He said even democratic countries sought public views when drafting their constitutions.

Therefore, he called upon the media to play a vital role in seeking people's views.

Minister Gunasekara valued the Soulbury Constitution and said that there were drawbacks in the 1972 and 1978 constitutions.

He said, the Communist party is against giving unlimited power to the executive Presidency. "We are not bothered about the tenure of presidency, we must pay special attention to the unlimited power, granted to the Executive President,".

Minister Gunasekara called upon the Government to introduce an alternative Constitution or bring about suitable amendments to the existing Constitution by abolishing the Executive Presidency for the betterment of the country.

He also urged the Government to consider the amalgamation of First-Past-the-Post system and the Proportional representation system when conducting future elections.

MP Karu Jayasuriya commending Soulbury Constitution said that it helped the country to be governed for 25 years. He said during that period Sri Lanka became the most developed country among many other Asian countries such as Japan and Singapore.

Due to the abolition of the public Service Commission with the 1972 Constitution, many public institutions were politicised.

He, therefore, urged the Government to implement the 17th Amendment to stop politicians interfering in the Judiciary and Police.

Jayasuriya said the abolition of the Executive Presidency is surely needed at this juncture.

MP Rauff Hakeem said that the confidence in the judiciary has eroded due to various reasons and the constitution is breached everyday.

Therefore, he urged the Government to abolish the executive Presidency for the betterment of the people and the country.

MP Vijitha Herath said the Executive Presidency should be abolished and urged the Government to introduce a new Constitution following the views of all sections in society.

He also called upon the authorities to implement the 17th Amendment or else the country's democracy will erode in the years to come.

Herath criticised the unlimited executive powers, vested in one person under the present Constitution and said that it has already created unnecessary problems to the civil society.

WPC Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the country's Constitution was drafted by mixing the privileges of the Queen of England and the powers of the French President.

A country like Sri Lanka does not need this type of Executive Presidency. Under the present Constitution it is sad to say that the judiciary system in the country has deteriorated, he said.