Sabry says aim of 19A was to enable a man who can never win presidency to enjoy those powers

By Saman Inftajith

Justice Minister Ali Sabry told parliament yesterday (21) that the purpose of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was to transfer some presidential powers to the post of Prime Minister so that Ranil Wickremesinghe, who could not win the presidency, could enjoy those powers.

Moving the 20th Amendment Bill for the second reading stage debate the minister said that the yahapalana regime had not brought in 19th Amendment for the sake of people. “The amendment helped unwinnable Wickremesinghe to rob some powers of the presidency and savour them.

“That is why the framers that amendment are not to be seen here today. People realised the truth and voted them out.”

Minister Sabry said that the Executive President under the 20th Amendment would not enjoy more powers than those vested in that institution by the 1978 Constitution. “Subsequent amendments reduced some of those powers and the 19th Amendment did the worst. The 20th Amendment will restore those powers of the presidency. Our attempt is to enable the president to exercise people’s power once again.

“The 19th Amendment not only rendered the post of president impotent but also disabled national security. Take for example of Easter Sunday carnage.  Now, nobody takes responsibility for the lapses that led to it. Various parties and individuals go before those commissions and try to place the blame on others. None is taking responsibility. It is clear that we cannot move forward in this manner. We have to do away with the 19th Amendment for the sake of the people. Former presidents J. R. Jayewardene, R Premadasa, D. B. Wijetunga, Chandrika Kumartunga ruled the country under the provisions of the 1978 constitution. Were they dictators?