20th Amendment - Difficult to say how draft will finally turn out: Gammanpila

None including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Cabinet are in the know as to what would be finally passed in Parliament as the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Udaya Gammanpila said today.

He said the proposed constitutional amendments has resulted in a major debate for and against in and out of Parliament, among the legal fraternity, the society and among the intelligentsia but however there would be no drastic change to the essence of the draft of the 20A which has been tabled in Parliament.

The minister told weekly Cabinet news briefing that he and Minister Wimal Weerawansa had campaigned for the abbreviation of the 19th Amendment and the introduction of 20A during the presidential and parliamentary election campaigns.

The dialogue Ministers Rambukwella and Gammanpila ensued as follows:

Journalist:

But you supported the 19A when it was passed in Parliament on April 28, 2015.

Minister Gammanpila:

Yes, you are correct. But there were so many serious drawbacks and negative effects when 19A was put into practice. The main impediment was the creation of three power bases among the Executive President, Prime Minister and the Speaker. The entire administrative system, economy and governance collapsed as a result.

Journalist:

But the problem was among the three individuals. The collapse of the system was not the fault of 19A.

Minister Gammanpila:

No. Today we have no problems in governance because the President, Prime Minister and the Speaker work in close cooperation and understanding. What will happen if there was any change to this command structure?

Journalist:

You have a huge mandate to introduce a new Constitution. Why this haste to introduce 20A. Why can’t you go for the new Constitution directly?

Minister Gammanpila:

The new Constitution is expected in a minimum of two years. Anything can happen in two years. Besides, we have a mandate not only for the new Constitution but for 20A as well. We need the it as early as possible.

Journalist:

Many are worried about several provisions in 20A, specifically about the legal immunity for the President, weakening of the Bribery Commission, Elections Commission, the Audit Commission and Procurement Commission.

Minister Gammanpila:

You can introduce necessary changes to the Amendments during the Committee State in Parliament. But we are not ready to amend or change the essence of the Amendments. We also don’t intend to include any provisions to 20A that requires the approval at a referendum in addition to the two-thirds majority in Parliament. It will be entirely a different scenario, if the Supreme Court rules that a referendum is necessary.

Minister Rambuwella:

Some 38 petitions have already been filed in the Supreme Court against 20A which shows its importance.

Journalist:

Is not the SLFP against 20A.

Minister Rambukwella:

Not at all. But they have different views on 20A. We can get it sorted out at the Committee Stage. Independent Commissions need a technical solution. However, having divergent stands on the amendments is good because we can finally pass a perfect piece of legislation.

Journalist:

Are there any Samurdhi beneficiaries among 80 odd new comers in the current Parliament?

Minister Gammanpila:

I don’t think so. Why do you ask?

Journalist:

Because the Public Administration Ministry is to issue duty free vehicle permits to 79 newly elected parliamentarians. Is it a proper thing to do at this hour as the country is in dire straits and people are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet?

Minister Gammanpila:

The Cabinet did not approve such a proposal and I am not aware of such thing.

Journalist:

Even the President has reportedly said that it was wrong to permit luxury vehicle imports at this hour.

Journalist:

Do all orders given by the President become circulars?

Minister Rambukwella:

I think you have taken the wrong end of the stick. President has said something to that effect with bona-fide intentions. What he meant was to carry out his orders if public officials failed to take action on any issue in 14 days. I also appreciate what he said because he needs action and find answers to the problems of the people sooner than later.

Another Journalist:

Does Sri Lanka use the metric system or the British system when it comes to measurement? I ask because the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) measures the size of coconut in inches with a ring to decide the price of coconuts now in short supply.

Minister Rambukwella: The Cabinet did not discuss the coconut shortage on Monday when it met. But you have to check with the CAA on this matter. We will also draw the attention of the Trade Minister on this. However, I must say that we have been using the metric system for several decades. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Pix by Kithsiri de Mel