Movement for Noble Governance calls for 19A enactment

The People's Movement for Noble Governance called upon all political parties to support the enactment and implementation of the 19th and 20th Amendments to the Constitution to strengthen democracy through a parliamentary form of governance.

Addressing a meeting in Colombo last week Rev. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda, a member of the movement said that if not both amendments at least the 19th Amendment should be enacted and implemented to do away with the executive presidency as pledged by President Maithripala Sirisena in his election campaign.

He said that electoral reforms must strengthen the representation of all minority parties and fulfilltheir aspirations.

"We call upon the government not to betray the wish of the people to have a government that is accountable to the people and uphold principles of noble governance", Fr. Iddamalgoda said.

The Movement comprising religious leaders and civil society organisations urged all parties to shed political differences and communal politics to strengthen the rule oflaw by setting up independent commissions and empowering the judiciary.A spokesman for the movement said they hope that the 20th Amendment will not be a condition for the enactment of the 19th Amendment. The 19A should be the first step to achieve goodgovernance.

"We call upon all political parties to respect the wish of the people and enact the amendments to the constitution", he said.

The amendments will be presented in parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena for debate tomorrow.

The current constitution has been amended 18 times since it was introduced in 1978. JHU MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera was a key supporter of the 19th Amendment.

-LF