COLOMBO (News 1st) – Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa notes that the number of representatives of civil organizations in the Constitutional Council is less. He said that the Constitutional Council comprises of the speaker, the prime minister, the opposition leader, representatives of the UNP, JVP and the President’s representative.

Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed that although Chamal Rajapaksa was also previously a member, he had resigned because there can’t be anyone from the opposition leader’s side. He continued to say that even when they appointed Douglas Devananda to fill the position, the prime minister had opposed it. The opposition leader added that now discussions are been carried out to decide on who should be appointed for the position because there are only three representatives from civil organizations and there are a large number of politicians.

UNP MP Harshana Rajakaruna also commenting on the matter said that their main intention was to reduce the unlimited powers vested with the President through a change in the Constitutional Council. He claimed that if this change calls for a change in the opposition leader that it should also be carried out. MP Rajakaruna said that it is not the council that should be abolished but that the procedure has to be changed. He added that when such a situation occurs that the opposition leader could change and that an agreement should be reached on how to make changes accordingly to face such situations.

Former Provincial Councillor of the JVP Namal Karunaratne said that the council was established with a good intention and that if someone is accusing that it is not independent enough then the issue has to be addressed. He added that the JVP is of the stance that if any issue prevails on the matter that it should be resolved.

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