Political stability, key to solve economic crisis - Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe | Sunday Observer

Political stability, key to solve economic crisis - Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe

29 May, 2022

Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC said that he first proposed forming an Interim Government and it was thereafter that the request was made through the group of 53 independent MPs in Parliament.

The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said, “We were pleading with the main Opposition SJB to take over the Prime Minister portfolio and the Government but they turned down the request. Then we invited the 53 group of independent MPs and the main Opposition to form a Government but they refused that request as well. Therefore, now the Opposition can’t level allegations after refusing everything. They are scared to take any responsibility on behalf of the people. Therefore, it is a ridiculous allegation made by the Opposition.”

Dr. Rajapakshe said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made an open invitation to the Opposition to come and take over the Government and the premiership. If they didn’t do so, the President had to appoint a Prime Minister and a Cabinet as he had no other option.

Excerpts:

Q: Do you think the proposed National Council would be able to reach a common consensus among political parties to resolve the current crisis?

A: In fact, we proposed it even before the 21st Amendment was introduced. I think that will help to resolve the current crisis to a certain extent.

Q: Some Government lawmakers are under the impression that the attack on Galle Face protestors and arson attacks on the houses of Government politicians should have been prevented if prompt actions were taken by the Security Forces and the Police. Your views?

A: Definitely, that should have been prevented and there was inaction especially on the part of the Police. Of course the Security Forces cannot go on to the roads unless there is a clear order. But the Police are under obligation to protect all citiznes. The IGP gave an excuse but that is not acceptable. He said that most of these OICs have been appointed at the request of the politicians. Firstly, he should have not done that. Secondly, those are the blunders done by the politicians themselves. They select their favourites who are not fit to hold those positions and finally they couldn’t even secure their own houses.

Q: The Government and Opposition members say this is not only a political crisis but also an economic crisis so that all parties should work together to find a solution to it. Do you agree?

A: Actually, we knew that the people would start this agitation and get into the roads. That is why I submitted a resolution to the Parliament to form an Interim Government with the participation of all the political parties represented in Parliament. However, they didn’t lead in that direction and there was no consensus either from the Government or the Opposition. As a result of that, we have to face a severe situation. Of course, the political crisis had been there for a long time even when the incumbent Government commenced its business. However, the people realised that after it went up to the extent of creating an economic crisis. Then only people started to see it and launched their protests and other agitation campaigns.

Q: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed concern that the draft amendment of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution has omitted several provisions of the 19th Amendment. Would you like to comment?

A: All the organisations and individuals think that they only know the correct thing. When they have sent four proposals, I think two or three are already there and one or more matters are to be taken into consideration.

Q: Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said that the Government is planning to present a diluted version of the 21st Amendment adding that it should have taken the proposals of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). Your comments?

A:  Actually, that depends on their understanding of the Constitution.

Q: The 21st Amendment mainly focuses on reducing powers of the Executive Presidency and reestablishing independent commissions and the Constitutional Council that were introduced in the 19th Amendment. Could you explain?

A: In addition to this, the proposed 21st Amendment transfers certain powers to the Cabinet of Ministers. Once again, the 21st Amendment will be taken up for discussion at the Cabinet tomorrow. If it is approved by the Cabinet perhaps I can gazette it on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Q: At present the people have faced severe hardships due to increased fuel prices and it has affected all key sectors. What do you propose to overcome the crisis?

A: This is a problem which has been continued for a long time. The fuel price escalation in the global market has contributed to the price hike. But there could have been some mechanism to cushion the difficulties faced if we had some funds there. The issue is now we don’t have enough foreign exchange. As a result of this, the crisis is openly on the roads and arson attacks on the houses of some politicians were carried out recently.

At present there is a severe drop of tourist arrivals as well. The inflow of dollars has been completely blocked. As a protest to the Government some people don’t send their foreign remittances. That is why we are trying to have some consensus and put things on the correct track by introducing the 21st Amendment. Because we can remember under the 19th Amendment, the Police and most of those institutions were functioning impartially to a great extent. When they completely repeal the 19th Amendment and brought the 20th Amendment by giving all the powers to the President, then the Government lost the grip of governance. That is why first we will have to restore political stability. It is very obvious that until such time there can’t be any economic stability.

Q: SLPP General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam has said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe must first solve the economic crisis before bringing in a constitutional amendment adding that such Amendment should not be drafted to target any specific individuals which prevent them from entering Parliament or becoming President. Would you like to comment?

A: It is common sense that everybody knows unless there is political stability you can’t expect economic stability.

Q: At present those who protest at Galle Face and countrywide are clamouring for a system change and not to just change the figure heads of the Government. Would you like to elaborate your views?  

A: The 21 st Amendment is the only way out of making the system change in the country. All other things are just changes of the figure heads. But for the system to change, we will have to go through it by the Constitution in Parliament. We can’t do it on the road.

Q: Fifty-three SLPP Parliamentarians in a letter addressed to the Speaker have expressed their refusal to take meals from the Members’ Cafeteria in Parliament. Your views?

A: There are serious issues to be addressed. Actually, that is something I don’t want to talk about too much. The Parliament cafeteria is facilitating 225 Members of Parliament. Of them, I don’t think even 100 members go to the Cafeteria each day but it is catering to 900 Parliament staff there. One way they have prohibited us taking meals inside the Parliament. In the meantime, the people are making the allegation that Members of Parliament are consuming foods in the cafeteria. That is why we told the Speaker, on the days we remain in the House full day to permit us to bring meals from our homes. I think that will be the ideal solution.

Q: The main Opposition SJB alleges that instead of forming an Interim Government to find solutions to the current crisis, the Government has appointed its own Cabinet of Ministers by just changing figure heads. How do you view this allegation leveled by the Opposition?  

A: Actually, the Opposition didn’t suggest forming an Interim Government. I am the one who first suggested that. Thereafter, we made that request through the group of 53 independent MPs in Parliament. Therefore, we are the people who first suggested the Interim Government and not the Opposition. We were pleading with the main Opposition SJB to take over the Prime Minister portfolio and the Government but they turned down the request. Then we invited the 53 group of independent MPs and the main Opposition to form a Government but they refused that as well. Now the Opposition can’t make allegations after refusing everything. They are scared to take any responsibility on behalf of the people. Therefore, it is a ridiculous allegation they make. You can’t put the blame on the President regarding that.

He made an open invitation to the Opposition to come and take over the Government and the premiership. If they didn’t do so, the President had to appoint a Prime Minister and a Cabinet as he had no other option.

Q: According to you, what are the immediate measures to be taken to address the current economic crisis?

A: That is what we are making a joint effort and it is basically handled by the Prime Minister’s office and the Central Bank. They are resorting to various remedies to address the issue. We are collectively supporting it.

Q: At present there is a demand to abolish the Executive Presidency and strengthen the 19 th Amendment. Is there any need to do so at this juncture?

A: It is like that you can have a chassis of a Morris Minor and fix the body of a Mercedes-Benz or you can have a chassis of Mercedes-Benz and fix the body of a Morris Minor. This is a Constitution based on Executive powers. If we want to abolish the Executive Presidency, we can’t do that by a mere Constitutional Amendment. Then the whole country will be in anarchy. If we are going to abolish the Executive Presidency either we will have to go for a new Constitution or go through drastic changes. However much the people want, we can’t do that because the Supreme Court definitely will give an order which will need the approval at a referendum. If there is a situation where we can go for a referendum depending on the economic atmosphere in the country, we will do it. But can you do it now?

Q: At present there is an allegation that the dignity and decorum of Parliament has been deteriorated. If several Parliamentarians resort to some unruly behaviour in Parliament, at present there is an impression among the people that all 225 Parliamentarians should quit. Would you like to respond?

A: This is social jealousy and malice created by most of our media personnel. They think they are very smart. When 10-15 people are shouting, media personnel also think all 225 MPs are of the same boat and some people also contribute towards creating such an impression.

In our case if they don’t want all 225 Parliamentarians, we are willing to give up our portfolios and ask them to come and take over. If anyone comes forward saying that they can do a better job, we are willing to give our ministerial portfolios.

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