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JO submits proposals on its stance to new Constitution
View(s):The Joint Opposition (JO) has submitted its list of proposals to the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly, tasked with drafting a new Constitution for the country.
The 14-point list of proposals were submitted by JO MPs Dinesh Gunawardena and Prasanna Ranatunga.
The proposals insist that Articles 2 and 3 of the 1978 Constitution, which affirms Sri Lanka is a unitary State and notes that, “Sovereignty is in the People and is inalienable,” should remain, while the Supremacy of Parliament should also be maintained.
Article 5, which refers to the territory of the Republic, Articles 6 and 7 which deal with the National Flag and National Anthem, should also remain unchanged, according to the proposals.
The JO proposals also note that there should be no change to Chapter II, Article 9 of the Constitution, which states that, “the Republic of Sri Lanka shall give the foremost place to Buddhism”.
However, other proposals refer to changes in the existing Constitution. Accordingly, a proposal has been made to change the existing Presidential system. Another proposal insists that there should be no amalgamation of provinces.
Two proposals have been submitted with regard to the election of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. Accordingly, while the Prime Minister shall be elected by Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition shall be elected by Opposition Parliamentarians.
Proposal 9 reads, “The Provincial Council (PC) system shall not endanger the Unitary State and its security. PCs should exercise their powers subject to the executive and legislative powers of the Centre.” A report of a study conducted by the JO, regarding the PC system, is due to be submitted to the Steering Committee.
The JO, however, has proposed to enhance the list of subjects of local authorities.
Other recommendations stress that the local business community should be given priority, while lands of Sri Lanka should not be divested to foreigners.
“Welfare State shall be incrementally maintained,” stresses proposal 13.
The final proposal deals with the Electoral system. The JO has proposed that the Electoral system should be changed with the majority of seats elected through the First-Past-the-Post system, while having fewer seats through Proportional Representation.