BY Buddhika SamaraweeraObserving that the people are now well aware of the catastrophic situation caused by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, former Speaker of Parliament and incumbent l National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman Karu Jayasuriya has warned of a major people's struggle in the future if the implementation of the draft 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill is delayed.Speaking to The Morning, he said: “The whole country is talking about the draft 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill today, especially the repeal of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and the re-enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. We are confident that with the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution through the 21st Amendment to the Constitution draft Bill, Sri Lanka will be able to earn the respect and recognition of the world community as a democratic country, gain the trust of powerful countries, and seek assistance. Despite these facts, it is unfortunate that one faction of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has publicly stated that it does not agree with these amendments.”Claiming that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution has caused great destruction in the country, he said that it is known around the world as a selfish and barbaric law that would lead the country towards an undemocratic and dictatorial regime. Despite these facts, he said, it is unfortunate that the rulers did not realise that the country is in such a dire situation due to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.“Before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa began the new reform process, he agreed to ratify the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and abolish the Executive Presidency. Accordingly, he appealed to the party leaders to join hands to form an interim all-party Government. The President must understand that if the 21st Amendment to the Constitution draft Bill is delayed under pressure from the ruling party, it will lead to massive public outcry,” warned Jayasuriya.Speaking further, he said: “Although Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has explained that the proposed draft Bill would be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers, some SLPP politicians have stated that the country's economic issues should be resolved first. Their message is that they do not support the Constitutional Amendments. We regret that they do not understand the need to win the confidence of the international community in order to resolve the country's economic issues.”Noting that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the NMSJ have pointed out certain shortcomings in the draft 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill, Jayasuriya said that he wishes that such proposals would be paid attention to by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC. As the people are aware of the devastation caused by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, he warned that he sees the foreshadowing of a renewed struggle in the future if the passage of the draft 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill is delayed for various reasons.
