(UTV|COLOMBO) – United National Front (UNF) Member of Parliament Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne asserts that the comprehensive draft of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was not passed in Parliament, which would’ve prevented all political instability in the country.
In response to yesterday’s comments by the President on the 19th Constitutional Amendment, Dr. Wickramaratne said President Maithripala Sirisena and the United People’s Freedom Alliance faction had requested amendments to the comprehensive draft on multiple occasions.
Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne was one of the main architects of the Constitutional Amendment and yesterday, President Sirisena was critical of the process and of the experts who were part of the enactment.
When inquired by a prominent online news portal in the isle, pertaining to the statement, Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratne noted that had the draft compiled by those experts, was passed without any amendments, several complications could’ve been avoided.
He said the draft had to undergo changes following a Supreme Court interpretation and then further amendments to receive the backing of the UPFA faction in Parliament.
One of the prominent Constitutional experts in the country, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne noted that by abolishing the Executive Presidency, several political complications can be avoided.
Meanwhile, United National Party Parliamentarian Hesha Withanage says the President does not have an understanding that through the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, all detrimental clauses of the 18th were annulled.
Speaking to media in Nawalapitiya, MP Withanage said the President has not been notified of the importance of the 19thConstitutional Amendment by his advisors.
MP Withanage said the President must continue to fulfil the pledges he made during the 2015 Presidential Election period.
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