AG’s submissions to SC on 20 A:

Govt. ally, NFF, protests against dismissal of its proposals

By Shamindra Ferdinando

General Secretary of the National Freedom Front (NFF) S. Wijayasiri, on behalf of its leader Wimal Weerawansa, in a letter to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has warned of dire consequences, if the government went ahead with the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution regardless of growing public opposition.

Colombo District MP Weerawansa said that his party wouldn’t accept responsibility for political fallout if the government refused to heed advice.

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentary group comprises five NFF lawmakers, including one National List member.

Referring to Attorney General Dappula de Livera’s assurance to the Supreme Court regarding amendments that were to be made to the 20th Amendment at the Committee Stage in Parliament, the NFF pointed out that none of those critically important recommendations made by Weerawansa to a 9-member committee appointed by the Premier were accommodated by the Attorney General.

The NFF expressed serious concern over what the party called the following three vital points ignored by the government (1) Depriving the Auditor General of his right to examine accounts of those enterprises in which the government held controlling shares (ii) re-introduction of urgent bills and (iii) paving the way for dual citizens to contest parliamentary polls instead of extending the prohibition to those receiving diplomatic postings and other senior public sector appointments.

Appreciating Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa being sensitive to concerns raised by constituents of the SLPP as well as the public, the NFF said that refusal on the part of the government to heed such criticism would be detrimental to the administration.

The NFF assured the Prime Minister that it would take into consideration the ongoing anti-Sri Lanka and anti-government project in progress while deciding its stand on the 20th Amendment. In spite of sharp differences over the proposed piece of legislation, the NFF reiterated its commitment for the protection of the government and the mandate received from the people.

Weerawansa was represented in the 9-member committee that was led by Education Minister who is also the Chairman of the SLPP Prof. G.L. Peiris. Nimal Siripala de Silva and Udaya Gammanpila represented the SLFP and the PHU, respectively in the committee appointed by the PM that drew up some changes to the proposed 20A.

Weerawansa is the first party leader to publicly express concern over the government refusal to take their concerns as well as those of the public amidst the ongoing Supreme Court hearing of petitions filed against the 20th Amendment. Hearings commenced on Sept 29. The Supreme Court is constitutionally responsible to rule on the petitions by or before Oct 12. Among those 39 petitions filed against the 20th Amendment was one by Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole, member of the Election Commission (EC).

The NFF appreciated efforts made by Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa to reach consensus among SLPP constituents on the proposals made by the NFF and other members of the Prof. G.L. Peiris’ committee.

Meanwhile, PHU leader and attorney-at-law Gammanpila told The Island that there was no basis for speculation that the government was having talks with the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) to secure its backing for the passage of the 20th Amendment. Gammanpila said that there were no negotiations with ACMC leader Rishard Bathiudeen whatsoever. The minister said so in response to The Island queries as to whether his party would change stand taken jointly with the NFF in the run-up to the general election that they wouldn’t accept Bathiudeen in the cabinet under any circumstances. The Island sought an explanation from Gammanpila how the public perceived Internal Security Minister Chamal Rajapaksa meeting Bathiudeen in Vavuniya close on the heels of the former minister’s brother Riyaj who had been held in custody for more than five months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with his alleged involvement in 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

ACMC parliamentary group consists of four elected on the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) ticket at the 2020 August general election.

Opposition political parties, civil society and other interested parties have sought the Supreme Court intervention expecting a referendum in addition to 2/3 majority in parliament as proposed by the Attorney General.