… warns AKD’s reputation would be tarnished unless he keeps his promise

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has, in his current capacity as Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice, suggested that the NPP government examine the viability of constitutional proposals unveiled during the Yahapalana government.

Declaring that most of the political parties represented in the 8th Parliament appreciated the constitutional proposals presented in the form of a report prepared by the Panel of Experts for the Steering Committee on drafting a new Constitution, Jayasuriya, emphasised the important role played by Lal Wijenayake who served as the Chairman of the Public Representations

Committee on Constitutional Reform.

In a statement to the media, the NMSJ chief pointed out that Wijenayake represented the executive committee of the NPP. Wijenayaka’s committee consisted of S. Winston Pathiraja (Secretary), Faisz Musthapha, Prof. A. M. Navaratna Bandara, Prof. M. L. A. Cader, N. Selvakkumaran, S. Thavarajah, Kushan D’Alwis, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara, Sunil Jayaratne, Dr. Upul Abeyratne, Themiya L. B. Hurulle, S. Vijesandiran, M. Y. M. Faiz, Mrs. M. K. Nadeeka Damayanthi, Ms.Kanthie Ranasinghe, S. C. C. Elankovan, and Sirimasiri Hapuarachchiall

Karunaratne Jayasuriya, the former parliamentarian, served as the Speaker of the Yahapalana Parliament.

Assuring the NMSJ’s support for the NPP government in this regard, the one-time UNP Deputy Leader claimed that the NPP with a 2/3 majority, the main Opposition SJB, as well as other political parties represented in Parliament, would receive the public support to introduce a new Constitution.

The NMSJ leader said they expected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his government would pay required attention to the urgent need to introduce a new Constitution.

The NMSJ warned President Dissanayake that the failure on his part to enact a new Constitution within a specified time period would tarnish his image as he promised to do so during the last election campaign.Wijenayaka’s effort had the backing of the UNP (SJB was part of the UNP at that time) and the SLFP, and a section of the dissident Joint Opposition.