Former Media Minister and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Imtiasz Bakeer Markar yesterday called upon all parliamentarians who wish to strengthen the country’s democratic principles to urge the Government to include only people-friendly clauses to the proposed Constitutional Amendments already proposed by the SJB.
It is reported that the proposed Constitutional Amendments will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers tomorrow, June 6.
He said if clauses that benefit the people are included in the Constitutional Amendments, all countries will recognise Sri Lanka and would also extend economic, financial and other international support at this juncture.
He was addressing a press briefing in Colombo.
He said it is a dilemma as to why the Government hopes to include many other clauses to the proposed Constitutional Amendments rather than accepting suitable amendments that the SJB brought initially.
He asked the Government not to reject the proposals that the SJB had presented and consider the suitable proposals that people in the country are asking for.
“At this juncture, we Parliamentarians should listen to the requests and fulfill the people’s requirements, including religious dignitaries, the members of the Bar Association, professionals, the business community and especially the youth who have been holding continuous demonstrations,” he said.
MP Bakeer Markar said although the Government could easily pass the Amendments that the SJB proposed, it is a pity they are trying to add many other clauses to achieve their own personal agendas.
Speaking on the abolition of the Presidential system, Bakeer Markar said that although the SJB wants to abolish the Presidential system even after allocating certain powers to the President, the Government has purposely ignored it and is trying to include the same President’s Executive Powers to the proposed Constitutional Amendments.