News
Harini–Sajith talks deadlocked over CC’s civil society nominees
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Talks between the government and the opposition remained deadlocked this week over the appointment of three civil society members to the Constitutional Council.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa disagreed on the names of the three replacement members representing civil society.
Discussions had been ongoing between the prime minister and opposition leader over the new appointments, given that the term of office of the three outgoing civil society members—Dr Anula Wijesundere, Dr Prathap Ramanujan and Dr Dinesha Samaratne—ended on Friday.
According to the Constitution, the three Constitutional Council members representing civil society can only be appointed by agreement of both the prime minister and the opposition leader.
During the latest discussion held at the Parliament complex, both Dr Amarasuriya and Mr Premadasa had each submitted their own list of nominees.
The Sunday Times learns that Prime Minister Amarasuriya had submitted seven names, while the opposition leader had submitted 10. A former vice-chancellor, a former university lecturer and several professionals were among the names put forward by Mr Premadasa, sources said. The government side had conveyed that they were willing to agree on two of Mr Premadasa’s nominees provided he agreed to one of their nominees.
The premier had suggested the name of a former district secretary. The opposition leader, however, had not been agreeable to the nominee, stating that considering the recent conduct of the nominee in question, one could not expect her to behave impartially as a CC member.
The Sunday Times learns that during the first discussion held regarding the appointment of new civil society members to the CC, the prime minister had suggested that they also involve Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in the discussions. Mr Premadasa had shot down the suggestion, pointing out that the Constitution states the nominees must be appointed with the agreement of the prime minister and the opposition leader, and that they were both bound to act accordingly.
The opposition leader’s objection to the PM’s nominee stems from the former district secretary serving as a member of a committee appointed by the present government in October 2024. The government, however, insists that the opposition leader must agree to its nominee if it is to agree to two names submitted by him, leading to the talks ending in a deadlock.
According to Article 41F of the Constitution, in the event of there being a delay in the appointment of civil society members to the CC, the current civil society members can continue in their positions until the assumption of office by the new members of the Council.
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