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Sri Lanka Govt., UNP to discuss creation of Executive Prime Ministership To replace Executive Presidency We want a people friendly constitution - Ranil
Tuesday, 13 July 2010 - 9:12 AM SL Time
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The government and the United National Party yesterday agreed to discuss a series of electoral and constitutional changes including the creation of an Executive Prime Ministership to replace the Executive Presidency.
Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe told a news conference in Colombo that a consensus had been reached during yesterday s meeting between delegations from the two parties led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and himself at Temple Trees.
Asked if he believed Rajapaksa was serious about replacing the Executive Presidency with an Executive Prime Ministership, Wickremesinghe said that they had agreed in principle to discuss electoral and constitutional changes. But how far the talks would progress was left to be seen, he said.
`We have seen talks break down in the past. However, we are prepared to discuss the creation of a people friendly constitution in which the President is answerable to parliament,` the Opposition Leader said.
Citing former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as an example, Wickremesinghe said that even under a parliamentary system of government, a leader could wield unbridled power. `The important thing is to have the necessary checks and balances, regardless of the system that was in place.`
It was agreed to first discuss changes to the electoral system pertaining to local bodies as a pilot project. Various options would be examined including a mixture of the Proportional Representation and First Past the Post System. Once a consensus was reached, the same principle could be applied to provincial and parliamentary elections as well, Wickremesinghe said.
The implementation of the 17th amendment would also figure in the discussions, the Opposition Leader said.
When questioned, if the cross over provision which had led to so much confusion and could even lead to constitutional changes favourable to the government, had been discussed, Wickremesinghe said, `No, neither side came with a shopping list.`
Wickremesinghe said that the UNP, while talking to the government, would also carry on its public agitation for an immediate reduction in the high cost of living and the creation of a people friendly constitution.
The Deputy Leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya and Joseph Michael Perera said that it was in the interest of the country at large to have a leader answerable to parliament.
Chairman of the UNP Gamini Jayawickrema Perera and General Secretary Tissa Attanayake also participated in yesterday s talks.
The government delegation comprised Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayanth, Dinesh Gunawardena, Prof G.L.Peiris, Basil Rajapaksa and Dallas Alahapperuma.
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aruma
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 13 Jul 2010 16:06:22 GMT Report for Abuse
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So long as there are power hungry politicians in Sri Lanka, whatever changes are done, there will be no benefits for the Masses!
First of all, people must elect honest politicians to the National Assembly.
Then only can we discuss changing the Constitution and all the rest. |
DONP
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 13 Jul 2010 20:13:14 GMT Report for Abuse
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First of all, people must elect honest politicians to the National Assembly
Agreed without any reservations!
But how people are going to do it is the billion-dollar question. |
kiwikanga
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 13 Jul 2010 20:31:23 GMT Report for Abuse
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First of all, people must elect honest politicians
There is no such person as an 'honest politician' in Sri Lanka, for definite! Honesty and politics NEVER go together, for sure in Sri Lanka!! |
saleemtariq
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 13 Jul 2010 21:21:39 GMT Report for Abuse
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Asked if he believed Rajapaksa was serious about replacing the Executive Presidency with an Executive Prime Ministership,
Ans:'We have seen talks break down in the past....'
Last time MR talked to RW and offered ministerial posts behind his back to induce UNP-MPs to cross over. This time MR needs the Opposition to show a collective solidarity in order to force UN and international community to abandon UN Advisory Panel on accountability of abuses of human rights and international laws.
In the aftermath of dissolving APRC that too after 108 sittings and 3.5 years, India wants MR to show evidence of tackling the ethnic problem. In this context TNA was entertained by high ranking Indian officials including the PM himself to show MR they mean business. This time Master of Deception wants to use ALL Party Talk (APT) to delay until his 2nd term is over: by showing India that constitutional change is the best way of finding a consensus in finding a solution to the national problem.
Edited By - saleemtariq - 13 Jul 2010 21:23:51 GMT |
AnuD
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 14 Jul 2010 04:09:46 GMT Report for Abuse
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First of all, people must elect honest politicians
there are no honest politicians. But, they should be accopuntable and answerable to the Rule of the LAw in the country. Even the public should be able to go to courts against them.
does Sri Lanka have that fair court system ?
Cal Sri Lankan LAw protect those who want to be Free citizens in the copuntry ?
Before that, there should be a fair LAw enforcement system in Sri Lanka.
IN Sri Lanka there is no LAW enforcement at all. It is all a Joke. |
kiwikanga
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14 Jul 2010 05:21:11 GMT Report for Abuse
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Even the public should be able to go to courts against them
Why can't the public go to courts?????? They do go to court. For an instance look at the number of FR violations cases that come up for hearing in the Supreme Court every day???? Some of the causes of action are political transfers, discrimination, favouritism etc etc.
does Sri Lanka have that fair court system ?
What makes you think it's an unfair court system? Can you please substantiate.
Cal Sri Lankan LAw protect those who want to be Free citizens in the copuntry ?
Why can't it?
Before that, there should be a fair LAw enforcement system in Sri Lanka
Here do you mean 'law enforcement' by the police?
IN Sri Lanka there is no LAW enforcement at all. It is all a Joke
If so is anyone able to walk into any shop and walk off with what ever he or she wants without the consequence of any police arrest and prosecution? In short is anyone able to commit any crime and get off with the police doing absolutely NOTHING. If so no doubt it would be a joke. But I feel it does not happen that way.
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saleemtariq
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14 Jul 2010 21:52:52 GMT Report for Abuse
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IN Sri Lanka there is no LAW enforcement at all. It is all a Joke
The magistrate in Jaffna ordered the doctor involved in rape and murder to be locked up until 21st but the police admitted him to the intensive care unit of the hospital. The alleged doctor has influential people in the SL navy and government. This is how law enforcement officers carry out their duties. |
kiwikanga
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14 Jul 2010 22:05:04 GMT Report for Abuse
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The magistrate in Jaffna ordered the doctor involved in rape and murder to be locked up until 21st
The term is NOT 'locked up'. There is no such 'order' that has been made. The order was to 'Remand'. 'Remand' does not necessarily mean 'locked up' in a remand prison.
If the suspect has been medically recommended to be in hospital that provision too is available and the law enforcement authorities have to follow the recommendation.
No doubt the priviledge is abused by many. But it does not mean the suspect is free to go home and live freely. Chrges will be framed and a case will follow.
Saleemtariq yet again twisting and distorting facts and writing fibs, following in the footsteps of the Sunday Leader. |
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14 Jul 2010 05:50:35 GMT