IF PRESIDENT ACCEPTS BASL PROPOSALS, SJB PREPARED TO PROCEED WITH IT: KIRIELLA

If President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ready to accept the set of 13 point proposals of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led main opposition alliance was ready to take the next step in order to form an all-party interim government to find a quick solution to the current economic, political and social problems affecting the people, chief whip of the opposition and senior vice President of the SJB, Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday. Kiriella told Daily Mirror that the SJB and its alliance met the President and top officials of the

BASL last morning and had a fruitful discussion with the objective of saving the country from the burning issues of as soon as possible. “The proposals of the BASL are similar to that of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution tabled in Parliament by the SJB. It is in the Order Book now,’ he added.

The 21st Amendment, which is based heavily on the 19th A, envisages to achieve competent, transparent and accountable government which are necessary requirements for economic recovery of the country.

The amendment proposes to abolish the executive presidency and replace it with a system that reinforces constitutional democracy founded on the separation of powers and checks and balances in addition to strengthening Parliament and the Prime Minister’s power.