• Latest
  • Trending

2020 parliamentary elections are critical for Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

January 7, 2020
Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

March 31, 2023
Donald Trump

Donald Trump criminally charged in New York, a first for a US ex-president

March 31, 2023
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

UAE leader names his son as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

March 30, 2023
New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

March 30, 2023
US dollar notes

China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

March 30, 2023
Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

March 30, 2023
Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

March 30, 2023
bird flu

Chile detects first case of bird flu in a human

March 30, 2023
Star Wars star Mark Hamill

Star Wars star Mark Hamill lends voice to air raid alert app to warn Ukrainians of Russian strikes

March 30, 2023
Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

March 30, 2023
Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

March 29, 2023
Cryptocurrency

Central Bank reiterates significant risks associated with using and investing in cryptocurrency

March 29, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Saturday, April 1, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

    Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

    US dollar notes

    China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

    Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

    Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

    Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

    Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

    Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

    Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

    Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

    Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

    Cryptocurrency

    Central Bank reiterates significant risks associated with using and investing in cryptocurrency

    Sri Lankan workers

    New employment scheme with Saudi Arabia sparks hope among Sri Lankan workers

    Bus fares to be decreased

    Bus fares to be reduced

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Donald Trump

    Donald Trump criminally charged in New York, a first for a US ex-president

    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

    UAE leader names his son as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

    New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

    New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

    US dollar notes

    China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

    bird flu

    Chile detects first case of bird flu in a human

    Star Wars star Mark Hamill

    Star Wars star Mark Hamill lends voice to air raid alert app to warn Ukrainians of Russian strikes

    moon samples

    New source of water found in moon samples from China mission

    Population

    World ‘population bomb’ may never go off as feared – new study

    India - Sri Lanka

    Travel to India in 50$?

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

    Backstreet Boys

    Backstreet Boys to perform in India after 13 years

    Roald Dahl books

    Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    moon samples

    New source of water found in moon samples from China mission

    Happy. Image credits - Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

    The world’s happiest countries for 2023

    Nepal. Image credits - Toomas Tartes / Unsplash

    Nepal bans solo trekkers throughout the country

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Toblerone chocolates

    Toblerone chocolates to lose “Swissness” criteria

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    International airlines suspend some US flights over 5G uncertainty

    Saying no to inflight meals can help our planet

    Sri Lanka

    Where are 2023s tourists to Sri Lanka coming from?

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    Nokia

    Nokia changes iconic logo to signal strategy shift

    Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner

    Selena Gomez dethrones Kylie Jenner on Instagram

    Facebook. Image credits - Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa

    Facebook & Instagram to test monthly subscription service priced at $11.99

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    Microsoft has announced a new version of Bing

    Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

    Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

    US dollar notes

    China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

    Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

    Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

    Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

    Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

    Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

    Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

    Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

    Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

    Cryptocurrency

    Central Bank reiterates significant risks associated with using and investing in cryptocurrency

    Sri Lankan workers

    New employment scheme with Saudi Arabia sparks hope among Sri Lankan workers

    Bus fares to be decreased

    Bus fares to be reduced

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Donald Trump

    Donald Trump criminally charged in New York, a first for a US ex-president

    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

    UAE leader names his son as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

    New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

    New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025

    US dollar notes

    China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade

    bird flu

    Chile detects first case of bird flu in a human

    Star Wars star Mark Hamill

    Star Wars star Mark Hamill lends voice to air raid alert app to warn Ukrainians of Russian strikes

    moon samples

    New source of water found in moon samples from China mission

    Population

    World ‘population bomb’ may never go off as feared – new study

    India - Sri Lanka

    Travel to India in 50$?

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

    Backstreet Boys

    Backstreet Boys to perform in India after 13 years

    Roald Dahl books

    Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    moon samples

    New source of water found in moon samples from China mission

    Happy. Image credits - Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

    The world’s happiest countries for 2023

    Nepal. Image credits - Toomas Tartes / Unsplash

    Nepal bans solo trekkers throughout the country

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Toblerone chocolates

    Toblerone chocolates to lose “Swissness” criteria

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    International airlines suspend some US flights over 5G uncertainty

    Saying no to inflight meals can help our planet

    Sri Lanka

    Where are 2023s tourists to Sri Lanka coming from?

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    Nokia

    Nokia changes iconic logo to signal strategy shift

    Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner

    Selena Gomez dethrones Kylie Jenner on Instagram

    Facebook. Image credits - Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa

    Facebook & Instagram to test monthly subscription service priced at $11.99

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    Microsoft has announced a new version of Bing

    Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

2020 parliamentary elections are critical for Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Editor by Editor
January 7, 2020
in Politics, Sri Lanka, Top Story
Reading Time: 4 mins read
4 0
A A
32
SHARES
Share on WhatsApp

By P.K.Balachandran

Colombo, January 7: The new President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is aiming at getting two-thirds majority in the April 2020 parliamentary elections to be able to bring about sweeping changes in the constitution to strengthen the Executive which was badly crippled by the 19 th.Amendment (19A) brought about by the previous regime.

Gotabaya is keen on either fully jettisoning the 19A or drastically pruning it to restore the powers of the directly elected Executive President.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 19A, enacted in 2015 by the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government,  had clipped the Executive President’s powers without commensurately increasing the powers of the Prime Minister and the parliament. The spheres or competences of the two centers of power over-lapped in many places causing confusion and conflict.

2015 to 2019 saw an endemic President-Prime Minister conflict bringing the country’s administration to a grinding halt every now and then. Projects, including those involving foreign parties, got stalled adversely affecting investor confidence.

Additionally, 19A had given a lot of powers to the non-elected Independent Commissions which it had set up to appoint personnel to the various arms of the State like the judiciary, police, public service and elections department. The Executive headed by directly elected  President was sidelined. This, besides being undemocratic from a representational point of view, also spurred and encouraged incompetence.

President Maithripala Sirisena had bitterly complained that he had no power to sack the head of the police (IG) Pujith Jayasundara though his incompetence was glaring in the context of the April 21, 2019 multiple bomb blasts in Colombo. The current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has complained that the head of the police cannot choose his higher rung officers as these appointments can be made only by the  Police Commission, which has non-policemen as members. Despite having elected bodies, crucial appointments were made by non-elected people in the Independent Commissions.

In his first-ever address to parliament on being elected President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that he proposes to “amend the constitution as the 1978 Constitution, which has since been amended on 19 occasions, has given rise to many problems at the present time because of its inherent ambiguities and confusions.”

Unlike past Presidents who promised devolution of power bordering on federalism but did not (or rather could not) deliver, Gotabaya said frankly that he is not in favor of more devolution or federalism.

“In accordance with our Constitution, I pledge that during my term of office, I will always defend the unitary status of our country.” This is an assertion of what has been a reality since 1948, despite the Tamils seeking federalism since independence. Even dispensations like those of Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga and Maithripala Sirisena which promised greater devolution of power, if not federalism, could not deliver for the simple reason that the majority Sinhalese were against federalism and greater devolution. Gotabaya frankly admits that it is pointless asking for or promising something which the majority will not approve of.

On the relative importance of the majority and the minority communities, Gotabaya said: “We must always respect the aspirations of the majority of the people. It is only then that the sovereignty of the people will be safeguarded.”

Driving home the point, he added: “The people who elected me to office desired a profound change in the political culture of this country. They rejected political agendas founded on race. The majority of the people proved that it is no longer possible for anyone to manipulate and control the politics of this country by playing the role of king maker.”

This was a reference to the November 16 Presidential election which he won solely with the support of the majority Sinhalese. He was also referring to the blow received by the politics of the small parties representing the minority Tamils and Muslims, which though small, had become king-makers in a fractured parliament.

Gotabaya said it is time the minorities realized that this situation could not go on as the voting pattern in  the November 16  Presidential election shows. “I invite the politicians concerned to understand this reality. I call upon all to join together in the national undertaking to develop this country, and to reject the politics based on petty agendas that have sown division in our society in the past,” the President said.

National Security occupies the “foremost place,” in his agenda, the PresidentI said. By looking at security from a national angle, Gotabaya was ruling out giving police powers to the provinces as demanded by the 13 th.,.Amendment made at India’s insistence in 1987.

Wijedasa Rajapakshe’s Amendment Bills  

Meanwhile, MP and former Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe proposed two constitutional amendment bills, designated 21 st and 22 nd Amebdment bills. Both are up Gotabaya’s street. The proposed 21 (A)  increases the district cut off point for getting elected from 5% to 12.5%. This will eliminate small parties, end the splintering of parliamentary seats and make decision-making easier.

The 22A bill truncates the Independent Constitutional Council’s powers. It says that the President will appoint  the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeal (after consulting the Judicial Services Commission). He will also appoint the Attorney General, the Auditor General, Inspector General of Police; the Ombudsman and the Secretary General of Parliament. In all these matters, the President only needs to consult the Prime Minister.

Wijedasa’s 22A also envisages the President’s holding the cabinet portfolio of Defense as he is the C-in-C of the armed forces. The President could also take any cabinet portfolio in his capacity as the head of the cabinet. The amendment proposal also aims at reducing the number of ministers so that ministerial positions are not put up for political sale.

If the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramnuna-led alliance wins the parliamentary elections with a two-thirds or near two thirds majority, Gotabaya hopes to press forward with his economic and administrative reform programs vigorously.

He will get the freedom to appoint officers of his choice based on their competence and qualifications. He might stop appointments made purely to meet political or personal ends. The President could also take some necessary but unpopular political or economic decisions without the fear of being thwarted, as has been the case thus far.

 

Related Posts

Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers
Diplomacy

Indian higher education scholarships for Lankan estate workers

March 31, 2023
Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre
India

Lankan High Commissioner Moragoda meets with the President of ISKCON Mumbai Centre

March 30, 2023
Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo
Security

Symposium on maritime security in the Bay of Bengal held in Colombo

March 30, 2023
Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation
Development news

Lankan envoy meets Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to discuss bilateral cooperation

March 30, 2023
Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi
Politics

Women’s collective seeks action against MP who allegedly assaulted Puttalam Quazi

March 29, 2023
Cryptocurrency
Around South Asia

Central Bank reiterates significant risks associated with using and investing in cryptocurrency

March 29, 2023
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for today in Sri Lanka: Uninterrupted power supply

    60159 shares
    Share 24086 Tweet 15031
  • Registration open for National Fuel Pass

    6636 shares
    Share 2692 Tweet 1644
  • Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    1799 shares
    Share 726 Tweet 447
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    790 shares
    Share 329 Tweet 192
  • Power interruption schedule released: Check your area power cut time

    742 shares
    Share 320 Tweet 176
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

eskisehir escort -

https://www.vudols.com/

- Sağlık Personeli - mersin escort - Antalya korsan taksi