The Hon. Ajith P. Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, in the Hon. Prime Minister’s answer there is no clear timeline, roadmap, or work plan. I do not know if a constitution is being drafted at the NPP Headquarters in Pelawatte. The President’s term—five years, with a year and two months already gone—leaves limited time. If you are to pass a Constitution quickly as pledged, work must begin now, drawing on the 2015–2019 process. None of this is happening publicly—no public consultation, no expert input, though these are necessary. Parliament can begin a parallel process as the legislature, sitting as a constituent assembly, gathering public and expert input. Ultimately it requires a referendum. There is now a new government with a large mandate and two-thirds in Parliament; the moment is right to abolish the Executive Presidency, entrench parliamentary governance, and protect fundamental rights. Why is your government not prioritizing a transparent, participatory process, rather than a secret, party-office exercise? The President has addressed the House and the people many times, but not mentioned a new Constitution. Has the Executive Presidency become sweet to him?