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Do not interfere
By Jamila Najmuddin
The government today called on the United States to stop interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka and added that they should refrain from making ‘unwarranted’ and ‘irresponsible’ comments about the island’s recent constitutional changes.
Reacting to the statement released by the US State Department, condemning Sri Lanka’s passage of a constitutional amendment which would grant the President vast new powers, Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella said that the government would not consider any such “unacceptable comments” and called on the US to address its own problems first.
“By making such unwarranted comments, not only has the US interfered in the internal affairs of the country, but it has also disrespected the country’s highest authority – the Supreme Court. We call on the US to first study Sri Lanka’s constitution before releasing such statements,” Minister Rambukwella told Daily Mirror online.
The Minister added that the Sri Lankan government had also condemned the US statement as the recent constitutional amendment was done within the framework of the constitution. “What we have done is legal. Therefore no one has the right to comment,” the Minister said.
The US on Saturday released a statement condemning Sri Lanka's passage of a constitutional amendment granting the president vast new powers, saying it undermined democracy.
“The United States is concerned that this constitutional amendment weakens checks and balances and thus undermines the principles of constitutional democracy,” US State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley had said in a statement.
Crowley called on the Sri Lankan government to take steps to strengthen independent institutions, increase transparency and promote national reconciliation.
Meanwhile the External Affairs Ministry, in a statement today, expressed regret at the US State Department comment noting that it has not been able to do justice to the true intent and circumstances behind the enactment of the 18th Amendment.
The Ministry observed that the passage of the Amendment is an entirely internal matter that moreover took place in full accord with the provisions of the Constitution and in total compliance with a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court, with an overwhelming majority of 161 Members of Parliament of a total of 225, voting in favour. (Daily Mirror online)
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