PRESIDENT SHOULD ONLY HOLD DEFENCE PORTFOLIO : JHU
Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Parliamentarian Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thera yesterday suggested that the President should not hold any ministerial portfolio other than defence since he could not be held responsible in case of any irregularities that may take place in such ministries before a court of law.
He made these observations when he met the Mahanayaka of the Malwatta Chapter, Ven Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Thera yesterday (8) to hand over the booklet entitled, “Pivithu Hetak Venuven Rata Gathayuthu Maga.”
Lamenting about the increase in corruption in the country, the JHU Parliamentarian stressed the importance of formulating a procedure similar to the one now being practiced in Thailand and Singapore to arrest corruption.
Commenting on the recommendations of the JHU further, Ven Rathana Thera said that they were not against the Executive Presidency but envisage the curtailing of some of its powers including the power to hold any ministry except the defence ministry and making him answerable to the Supreme Court.
The JHU had said that it wants changes to the
Ven Rathana Thera said that they were not against the Executive Presidency but envisage the curtailing of some of its powers including the power to hold any ministry except the defence ministry and making him answerable to the Supreme Court
proportional representation system as the continuance of the existing system allows minority parties to influence decisively the appointing of the prime minister as these parties can have around 40 members in Parliament. He also suggested amending the preferential voting system.
Minimising t he cabinet to 20 ministers and clearly defining the objectives of each ministry were also included in the JHU’s recommendations. At present the government had a two third majority and as a result the President was in a position to effect such changes, Ven. Rathana Thera explained to the Mahanayaka Thera.
The latter part of the discussion between the JHU Bikkhu representatives and the Mahanayaka Thera was not open to the media. Ven Rathana Thera, who finally briefed the media, said that their discussions with the Mahanayaka thera were successful. They said that they would also check public opinion relating to kidney disease, the national drug policy, and the generation of renewable energy etc. Ven. Wattehene Vijitha, Yakkaduwe Rahula, Weliwitiye Rathana Thera and Kandy entrepreneur M.K.R. Thilalakarathna were also among the representatives who met the Mahanayake thera.