Don’t throw out 19A

Education Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris called on the prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters to appraise them of the government plan to scrap 19A (The Island/24.08.2020). In his courtesy call, he gave a number reasons for the government’s decision to abolish 19A. He explained to them that the 19A obstructed the government development plan. He also lamented to the prelates that because of 19A the President is unable to retain the defence ministry portfolio. He also asserted to them that the Easter attack happened because of the rift in the then government, and the reason for the rift was 19A. He also brought to the attention of the prelates the biased behaviour of some members of independent commissions. I think he meant the behaviour of Javed Yusuf, member of Constitutional Council and Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole, the member of the Election Commission. Finally he told the prelates the decision to scrap 19A is after all a promise given to the people and that should be fulfilled.

Unfortunately Prof. Peris has evaluated 19A against the backdrop of failed yahapalanaya (good governance). Contrarily to his views, the 19A amendment has many promising features which benefit the masses. Scraping of it will only benefit the politicians. For instance, the President can keep a half dozen ministries under him; a dual citizenship holder can become an MP; an IGP or an AG who toes the government line can be given extension; in the absence of RTI, information can be held away from the public; when independent commissions like Public Service Commission disappear, political stooges can be given appointments and promotions and many more benefits for ruling politicians but none for the masses.

Simply because a member of an independent commission was outwardly biased, we cannot do away with the very concept of independence commissions. The Easter attack has nothing to with 19A as Prof. Peris said. Ongoing investigations reveal that it was the result of the colossal failure of our security apparatus and good governance. He told the prelate that scrapping 19A is a promise given to people. I don’t think people ever demanded it. For instance, government employees overwhelmingly voted for this government. Is it to scrap the independent public service commission? Never!

Therefore, as The Island in its editorial on 19A once stressed, We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

M. A. KALEEL

Kalmunai