Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe comments on 20A

COLOMBO (News1st): President's Counsel Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has said that the relationship between the public and politicians is not determined by dictators that are created through constitutional provisions. In a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, parliamentarian Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe pointed out that honesty and the trust placed on politicians is the determining factor for their relationship with the people. The letter sent by the parliamentarian noted that the country has been laden with debt due to the loans that have been obtained inefficiently since 2005. Accordingly, Dr. Rajapakshe pointed out that the country's valuable resources have been acquired by China, and that the country is losing its economic and security hubs as a result of this situation. He said that the US and western forces are attempting to capture the country's security and economic hubs and that China and the US have begun the tussle to make Sri Lanka the battleground for their war in future. Dr. Rajapakshe warned that national security and the economy cannot be prevented from experiencing downfalls if internal divisions are created at such a time over matters such as the constitution. He pointed out that the hopes of the people are diminishing due to the moves to bring forth the 20th amendment amidst stiff public opposition in the country. The parliamentarian said he had written to the President since statements had been made during a meeting at the Temple Trees on the 9th of October stating that there is no need to take this matter up for discussion and that the amendment must be passed without allowing others to express their views about this matter. He requested the President to take steps to protect the country from foreign influence and also from becoming a failed state by obtaining the support of all parties instead of developing political tussles at a time when the country is facing multiple challenges. The parliamentarian opined that it is not practical to fulfill the objectives of the expert committee that has been appointed to prepare a new constitution to the country. Dr Rajapakshe said that although there is no reason to obstruct experts from providing their opinion on the new constitution, it is a parliamentary select committee that must be tasked with preparing it if that cannot be done by the justice minister. This was how Dr. Rajapakshe had responded to the allegations made against the 19th amendment stating that it had dragged the country backwards. The letter reads "If you and your elder brother who is the Prime Minister says that the country had become degenerated during the previous administration not due to the 19th amendment, but due to the incompetence, immaturity and hypocrisy of the leaders in the previous government, then you have to understand how harmful the message is to the country and the government." Dr Rajapakshe noted that the lawmakers have understood the need for a new constitution that suits the country and resolves its problems. Accordingly, he requested the President to take steps to prepare a new constitution that is suitable to the country without any delay by taking into consideration the advice of all highly respected religious leaders including the Maha Sangha and His Eminence the Cardinal.