JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake briefed the media (27) on the provisions that need to be included in the 21st Amendment to the Constitution.
He pointed out that the 21st Amendment proposed by the government does not reduce the powers of the President, but this clearly shows the President’s need to consolidate his powers.
Addressing the media, the JVP leader listed out 7 key points that need to be included in the 21st Amendment.
1. President should not be able to hold any ministerial post.
JVP leader says that they propose to implement the provisions in the 19th amendment that President should not be able to hold any ministerial post. He says that Proposed 21st Amendment does not have such an obstacle for the president
2. Prevent MPs from shifting sides in Parliament.
He further emphasize that provisions should be included in this constitutional amendment to prevent MPs from shifting sides in Parliament. He said that due MPs shifting sides, the Parliament does not become a reflection of the true opinion of the people.
3. Limit President’s discretionary power to pardon.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake went on to add that the 21st Amendment should limit the President’s discretionary power to pardon. He said that the party’s lawyers are considering what restrictions should be imposed in this regard.
4. Include a special clause not allowing dual citizens to be appointed to important institutions in the country.
He pointed out that currently, the 21st Amendment stipulates that the president and ministers cannot hold dual citizenship when running for office. However, the JVP leader proposed that 21st amendment include a clause not allowing dual citizens to be appointed to important institutions in the country, sighting the issue with the former CB governor Arjun Mahendran.
5. Include clauses that requests and enable the general public to provide any reliable information to relevant authorities that public properly has been misappropriated by public representatives, and provisions to conduct full investigations based on that.
6. Include a time limit on the current Parliament as an interim provision. Propose to limit the term of the Ninth Parliament to two to three years.
The JVP leader also opposed the provisions that vests additional powers to the current Prime Minister. He said that from a democratic point of view, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is not qualified to hold the post of Prime Minister with such special powers. Therefore, he proposed to include a time limit on the current Parliament as an interim provision in this constitutional amendment. He said that the JVP would propose to limit the term of the Ninth Parliament to two to three years.
7. Secretaries to the Ministries should be appointed by the Constitutional Council.
The JVP leader said that the party is planning to present its proposals regarding the 21st Amendment, based on the above points.
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