Yuthukama Convenor Gevindu Cumaratunga says a two-thirds majority at the next parliamentary election was nothing but a prerequisite to introduce far reaching constitutional changes proposed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
Cumaratunga said so at a media briefing at Wadduwa, Kalutara, in response to a query.
Asked whether President Gotabaya Rajapaksa required a two-thirds majority to govern the country, Cumaratunga said such an overwhelming majority wasn’t needed. A simple majority would suffice, Cumaratunga said, pointing out proposed constitutional changes couldn’t be brought in without a two-thirds majority.
Cumaratunga said: "The Constitution enacted in 1978 is full of provisions inimical to Sri Lanka. The 13th Amendment introduced to the Constitution in late 1987 forced on us at India’s behest, too, contained many adverse clauses. One such clause prevented the use of Sinhala Language in the Northern and Eastern regions as State Language. The 19th Amendment denied the President the power to dissolve the House in case the parliament took a wrong path."
Reiterating that the President should exercise the power to dissolve parliament one year after general election, Cumaratunga pointed out those who found fault with that particular executive power conveniently ignored that the electorate was given the chance to elect a new parliament regardless of the circumstances of its dissolution.
Those who had been critical of corruption contributed to the continuation of such an electoral system, Cumaratunga said. Therefore, the requirement for parliamentary muscle for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa couldn’t be ignored, he said.
At the onset of the briefing, Cumaratunga appreciated the inclusion of Yuthukama Kalutara District leader and its National Organizer Anupa Pasqual on the SLPP District List for 2020 general election. Cumaratunga asserted that the SLPP had recognized the role played by Yuthukama against yahapalana project since 2015 and its efforts to promote what he called a nationalist agenda. Referring to the speech delivered at Ruwanweliseya, Anuradhapura by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Nov 18, 2019 at the inauguration of his presidency, Cumaratunga pointed out that the electorate elected a person who believed in building the future on the foundation of the glorious past.
The movement’s Convenor emphasized that it would be the responsibility of the electorate to ensure President Gotabaya Rajapaksa received the required parliamentary backing to implement promised programme.
Cumaratunga called for public support for Yuthukama initiative while assuring the group’s commitment to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision for the future.
Yuthukama received one slot in Kalutara to field a candidate on SLPP list.
At the last moment, SLPP strategist Basil Rajapaksa intervened to prevent a bid to replace Pasqual with a candidate representing the Muslim community. However, several persons intensely speculated to receive nominations were denied the opportunity. Nominations for 2020 general elections close today, March 19 at noon. Among those who lost the opportunity was former Media Secretary Charitha Herath, who played a significant role in the overall media effort in support of the SLPP since 2015.
Addressing the media, Pasqual scoffed at much touted Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) claim that UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa was the ideal Premier to work with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Responding to a media query, Pasqual pointed out that in 2014/2015, the same lot talked very highly about Sirisena-Wickremesinghe combination. Within weeks after the presidential election, the yahapalana arrangement collapsed, Pasqual said, explaining how disputes between the two leaders in the wake of the Treasury bond scam perpetrated in Feb 2015 caused the rapid deterioration of the then administration leading to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory at the 2019 presidential poll.
Pasqual said that the electorate should ensure a comfortable victory for the SLPP led by Mahinda Rajapaksa to enable President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to go ahead with his plans. Pasqual asked what would have happened if corona-virus outbreak occurred during the yahapalana administration.
The Yuthukama nominee said that sharply divided UNP couldn’t deceive the electorate. Therefore, the SLPP could easily secure an overwhelming victory at the 2020 parliamentary poll.
Pasqual said that Yuthukama believed the civil society could play a role, both in and outside parliament. The candidate said that they could play a significant part in the overall political strategy.
Pasqual appreciated the blessings given by former State Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena to secure a Technical University for the Kalutara District. He also explained the difficulties experienced by the people of the district in obtaining water both for domestic and agricultural purposes.
Cumaratunga also dealt with government efforts to tackle fast spreading corona-virus. The civil society activist said that people were really lucky to have Gotabaya Rajapaksa as their leader. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave unprecedented leadership to anti-corona battle.
The Island [2020-03-19]
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