CC not independent with political representatives in it: MR

The much vaunted Constitutional Council (CC) cannot be called independent as long as there are political party representatives in it, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Responding to a question posed by a journalist at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Head Office, Mr. Rajapaksa said it was his view that personnel within the CC should be changed.

“Yes there needs to be a change when it comes to who should be in it. There is no independence at present. How can the CC be independent if the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader are both part of it? It also has representatives of the President, Prime Minister and political parties. With political party representatives being present the CC can't be independent,” he said.

Earlier, Mr. Rajapaksa said the entire state sector has collapsed due to arbitrary decisions taken by the CC. (Lahiru Pothmulla)