• Decision won’t necessarily follow SLPP stance: Godahewa

BY Buwanajee Coralage   A faction of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma and comprising approximately 10 others, are yet to decide on their stance regarding the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which has been tabled in Parliament, according to former Minister of Mass Media and SLPP MP Nalaka Godahewa. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (21), Godahewa stated: “We definitely have a team of more than 10 taking this joint decision, which will include MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Charitha Herath, Channa Jayasumana, and several other MPs. All of us will discuss the 22A and its implications, and take a joint decision on it,” said Godahewa. However, he noted that their decision will not necessarily follow that of the SLPP, and would be taken without consulting ministers and members of the party. “We will not act according to the orders of anyone, but take a decision after a joint discussion among ourselves. We as people’s representatives are not ready to follow orders from anyone,” he stated. Furthermore, he claimed that the SLPP has made it a habit of informing members of the party’s official stance based on decisions taken with the involvement of a select few members, but that they are no longer willing to follow these decisions taken by the party. The MP further stated that such a practice was followed even during the recent Parliamentary vote on the President as well. “They don’t take decisions after consultation with the party, but a person in an office takes these decisions on behalf of the whole party and just informs the MPs of such. They want us to then vote accordingly. We don’t accept this as democratic, and we are not ready to take further steps based on what someone says,” said the former Minister. Speculation is rife that the SLPP will vote against the 22A, which prevents dual citizenship holders from contesting in Sri Lankan elections. It is said that the SLPP also hopes to bring in an amendment to extend the period after which the President is allowed to dissolve Parliament from two-and-a-half years to four years. Nine petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution by nine citizens, including “Vinivida Peramuna” Secretary Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku and Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara. The Attorney General has been named as the respondent in the petitions.