A nation caught in 20-A trap

The humorous cynical piece under ‘Light Refraction’ by Lucian Rajakarunanayake, states, “The Chairman of Litro Gas Lanka. Thesara Jayasinghe, is certainly a big power – mighty muscleman in Pohottuwa governance, He was brought back as head of Litro less than a day after his removal from the position by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance”. Surely, the removal of Chairman Litro Gas Lanka by the Secretary to the Ministry for Finance could not have been done without the knowledge and approval of the Minister for Finance Basil Rajapaksa. In this case President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has acted correctly, using powers vested on him by the 20^th Amendment to the Constitution. But there is another case where the then Finance Minister and also the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa overruled a directive of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa which undermines the President’s authority under Amendment 20. I refer to the directive given by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for PUCSL not to interfere in the CEB’S administration, on representations made by then Minister for Power, Dallas Alahapperuma, explaining his difficulties. How come this double standard in exercising Amendment 20 by the President or is it kissing going by favour. Is the law flexible in this case. Consequences of law not being firm I refrain from commenting.

GADS