By Sandun A. Jayasekera and Yohan Perera

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) urged the government  yesterday to enact the 21st Amendment to the Constitution presented to  Parliament by them as it was the most appropriate and pragmatic way out from the  current economic, political and social mess in the country.

 
Senior Vice President of the SJB and former Minister  Lakshman Kiriella told the media that the draft of the 21st amendment of  the SLPP government submitted to the cabinet on May 23 by Minister  Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had not even been approved by the cabinet and opposed  by many including the protesters, the public, the civil society, Maha  Sangha and other religious leaders and the BASL.   

The SLPP’s draft of the 21A, does not include the  abolition of the executive presidency and the right to hold cabinet  portfolios by the President.   

“The 21st Amendment of the SLPP has not seen by anybody. No  one knows its contents. It is extremely doubtful how and when this  could be passed in Parliament. But, the 21st Amendment of the SJB has  been tabled in Parliament and referred to the Supreme Court for its  observations. If the Supreme Court delivers its ruling on the coming  15th it can be approved by the cabinet, sent to the Legal Draftsman  and taken up for first reading. If there are amendments, they can be  incorporated at the committee stage or at the third reading. The entire  process takes only less than three months. As such if and when the 21A  tabled in Parliament is approved by August this year, country will be  returned to normalcy and political, social and economic stability would  be restored as it fulfills the aspirations of 22 million Sri Lankans  including the protesters, Mr. Kiriella stressed.   

At the voting for the 21A, the people of this country  will have an opportunity to see who wants to end this political,  economic and social impasse. Who wants to abolish the executive presidency.  Who demands to put an end to the opportunity to elect dual citizens to  political office etc. Many politicians and political parties echo the  same cry of protesters and 22 million people to enact these amendments  that fulfills their aspirations. Therefore, all other political  parties including the SLPP have no reason to oppose these amendments as  they reflect the collective demand of the people, Mr. Kiriella stressed.    

The government says it wants to enact the 21st Amendment  that envisages to abolish the executive presidency and dual citizenship,  establishment of the National Council and Security Council among others  sooner than later. Therefore, this is the best opportunity to do that  with the passing of the SJB’s proposal.