Constitutional Council not above Parliament - PM

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Parliament yesterday that a large number of proposals of Budget 2016 had been changed following demands from the people and the amended proposals will be implemented next year.

Participating in the Committee Stage of the Budget debate under the expenditure heads of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, the Premier said that the Constitutional Council was being implemented by Parliament and it was not above Parliament.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs was set up to implement the government's 100-day program. The people have hopes and aspirations as such the government should act to fulfill it. If there are any shortcomings and amendments to be made, it can be done at the Committee Stage.

"We have discussed this matter with the Opposition. I have also discussed with SLFP MPs and agreed to implement their suggestions. The amended proposals will be implemented next year. The government is very flexible and ready to make amendments," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government has taken steps to solve the national problem. Steps should be taken to further develop the economy in Jaffna. The government hopes to release more lands occupied by the Army to the people. It is being discussed at present. Steps will also be taken to relocate the Ministry of Agriculture.

He said a committee has been appointed to make recommendations to the Constitutional Council.

"Discussions are underway on a new electoral system. The government is also trying to find out immediate solutions for the heavy traffic congestion. The congestion is a result of the increase in the number of vehicles on the roads this year. The government has laid emphasis on introducing a better transport service targeting the needs of the middle class. We hope to further strengthen the higher education and technological research sectors. Many countries have come forward to extend their support for this purpose," the Premier said.

Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that there are provisions in the Standing Orders to appoint Working Committees. He said a Select Committee should be appointed for the formulation of the Constitution and there are no provisions to convert the entire Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly.

The Prime Minister said, "We could meet under my leadership. According to the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament can pass a motion to stay out of Standing Orders. We are not going against legal provisions. We could meet and take a decision and it can be forwarded to the sub-committee on the Constitutional Council. Thereafter, it can be forwarded to the Cabinet of Ministers and then to Parliament."

MP Dissanayake said the decisions relating to Parliamentary affairs could be made at the Party Leaders' meeting and work in a manner complementary to the Standing Orders.

Colombo District UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena said that Amendments to the Constitution should be made in accordance with the decisions made at the Party Leaders' meeting. The entire Parliament could be turned into a Working Committee and its proposals could then be forwarded to Parliament for approval.