Whither constitutional council, asks Ranil

(April 07, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe questioned in parliament today as to when the appointments to the Constitutional Council would be made.

Making a special statement, Mr. Wickremasinghe pointed out that even though necessary measures had been taken in 2006, 2008 and 2009 to make the appointments, those appointments were yet to be made.

He added that the non appointment of members to the Constitutional Council had resulted in the independent commissions not being formulated as well.

The Opposition leader noted that it had given rise to several problems.

He pointed out that preparations were underway to hold the 5th Western Provincial Council election without establishing an Independent Elections Commission.

Also, as the National Police Commission had been rendered ineffective, the police had become part of the government’s election campaign, the Opposition leader said and stressed that the official term of the Police Commission, appointed by the President, concluded at the end of the month.

Commenting on the Public Service Commission, Mr. Wickremasinghe observed that a crisis had arisen in the Commission.

In response to Mr. Wickremasinghe’s remarks, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said that he too agreed with some of the points raised by the Opposition leader.

However, there were conflicts over two nominees that had been proposed for the Constitution Council, the premier said.

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana thero of the Jathika Hela Urumaya and Mavai Senathiraja of the Tamil National Alliance also spoke on the issue.

-Sri Lanka Guardian