UNP HAS NO MORAL RIGHT TO DISREGARD ELECTORAL REFORMS - OPP. LEADER
Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday that a political party had a moral obligation not to abdicate its responsibility to enact electoral reforms in the form of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. Issuing a statement, Mr. de Silva said the people would, at the next election, teach a lesson to the politicians and parties trying to scuttle the
enactment of the 20th Amendment.
He urged the political forces to rally behind the United People’s Freedom Alliance(UPFA) in its struggle to pass this legislation.
He also urged the United National Party (UNP) leader, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to announce the stand of his party on the 20th Amendment without delay.
He said the UNP’s delaying to announce its stand had shown its cowardice.
“In President Maithripala Sirisena’s manifesto that was compiled mainly with the knowledge of the UNP, he promised to amend the electoral system by passing 20 A. The UNP by delaying to express its stand has made it clear that it has a two-faced policy while working with the government,” he said.
He said the SLFP and the Opposition had supported 19 A as the government had promised to get 20 A passed forthwith.
“Prime Minister Wickremesinghe must make a public statement on the UNP’s stand on 20 A. It is his bounden duty. If he fails to do so, it will definitely embarrass President Sirisena,” he said.
The opposition leader said, “The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led UPFA supported the enactment of the 19th Amendment after it was assured that the 20th Amendment would be enacted forthwith. The UNP is openly breaking its promise by trying to hold a general election without first enacting it. The UNP has no moral right to do so. The people will teach a lesson to those trying to ignore the wishes of the people for petty political gain.
He said even National Movement for Social Justice convener, the Ven. Maduluwave Sobitha Thera had stressed the need to present the 20th Amendment before Parliament.