By Yohan Perera

Implementing constitutional reforms are becoming a non-event because of certain action by groups belonging to the ruling party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday. 

SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake told a media briefing that the meeting which Prime Minister had with former Minister Basil Rajapaksa is questionable in the wake of the question that had arisen on allowing those with dual citizenship to Parliament. “This meeting could therefore delay the enacting of the 21st Amendment to the constitution,” he said. 

Also he said the easy way out of the issue of the constitutional reforms is to get the approval for the 21st amendment which has been presented by the SJB. “It will take at least three to four months to get a new proposal enacted without getting the proposal made by SJB enacted. The proposal which we have come up with could be enacted by June 15 this year,” he said.  “The incumbent Prime Minister should have thought twice before accepting the premiership, as people will not accept it if he tells the nation that his efforts to bring in reforms were shackled,” Mr. Attanayake added. 

Meanwhile, MP Mujibur Rahman who also participated in the briefing said the circular issued by the President to the Ministers that they cannot change the chairpersons and directors of state institutions is ample evidence that the 21st Amendment could be a non-event. “If the President does not allow the MPs to appoint new heads and directors of state institutions, will he allow the constitutional reforms to go through?” he questioned.