One of the major turning points in our political history

by Anuradha Kodagoda and Dhaneshi Yatawara

Saman Rathnapriya - Government Nurses Association President and Convener of Trade Union Collective for a Just Society:

This is a victory of the people who appreciate democracy in the country. We hope this will help establish democracy in the country into some extent. Since 1978 our country has been suppressed by the extreme powers of executive presidency. We as a nation experienced adverse effects of the executive presidency throughout our lives.

It is a pleasure and great relief finally to have a Government who value democracy. But we have a long way to go. We raised a few main political reforms to establish democracy in the country such as abolish the executive presidency, establish the independent commissions and reform the electoral system.

By passing the 19A we were able to win the first two reforms. However, it is important to bring these amendments into practice. Also we hope the Government will take necessary precautions to do necessary reforms in the electoral system before the next general election.

Chinthana Dharmadasa - Filmmaker:

I think bringing in the 19th Amendment for approval itself is a critical political change in the country. No one believed it's possible for the person sitting on that executive chair to bring an amendment to limit his own power. By proposing this amendment President Maithripala Sirisena has marked a drastic change in the social political mindset in the country. It is a kind of thinking that goes beyond personal agenda towards a solid political establishment of the country. On the other hand all the citizen groups joined together and raised their voice against the former regime henchmen who aimed to prevent 19A being approved. This too is a very positive trend since it re-established the citizens' power and their responsibility towards good governance.

Somarathna Disanayaka - Filmmaker:

I think passing the 19A is one of the major turning points in our political history. Most importantly by passing the 19A we defeated the 18A which was introduced by the previous regime to fulfill their never ending greediness for power. So for me this is a historic moment where the people's power came into the forefront by rejecting the politicians who drew the country into the worst dictatorship.

Prof. Rohan Samarajiva - Exec Director LIRNEasia:

19th Amendment changes the balance of power between the President and the legislature - that is what it does. Nothing changes the destiny of a country other than its people.

When I looked at the constitutional promises made by the Common candidate, they require a two thirds majority in parliament and it was very difficult to obtain such a mandate, but it was achieved on April 28. The Government should achieve that for the electoral reforms as well. But it is not easy. That window will not be there after the General elections," said Samarajiva.

A changed electoral system will not solve all the problems of the country but it is a necessary condition to get money out of politics, making the contest more fair.

As someone who studies campaign finance, it will take 10-15 years to straighten this system.

The 'advanced electoral system' currently discussed in the island are but 'words on a paper.' Sri Lanka should reduce the number of elections.

Provincial and local authorities elections should be combined and this is currently not being discussed. The solutions to the problems inculcated in the administrative system may not be solved by establishing a commission.

He argued that the commissions could even slow down the process because it will have retrospective checking ability. What is important is checks and balances.

And the possibility for the public to know these reasons is important and that is where the law for Right To Information comes in to play.

The current draft has taken the parliament and the cabinet out, which I think is absolutely wrong because the earlier draft had parliament and the cabinet in and suddenly disappeared.

This is against all the information on Right To Information throughout the world, because they are people's agents. The public are the principles. Therefore, the public should be able to get the information about them. Getting information on NGOs, companies etc are marginal things.

When the documents do not come on time public appeals will pile up with the commission and eventually people will say RTI failed. RTI came at the same time as the 19th Amendment but unfortunately there seems to be no room for the people to think about RTI. Nineteenth amendment is the past and RTI is the future.