The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the 1978 Constitution—and the way it was adopted—has drawn sustained criticism. The Executive Presidency has long undermined democratic institutions, as Minister Bimal Rathnayake recently detailed regarding the 1980s.

¶ 02 That Constitution, passed by a UNP Government, has been contentious for decades, chiefly because the Executive Presidency exerts undue influence over democratic institutions. Many parties—UNP and SLFP among them—have repeatedly promised in 1994 and as recently as 2015 to abolish it, campaigning on that basis, but did little once in power.

¶ 03 Now, after the National People’s Power has formed a Government, Hon. Ajith P. Perera proposes that we urgently bring a new Constitution. If there was such urgency, it should have been acted upon during the Good Governance period or in 1994. Instead, that Constitution was exploited and abused, power used improperly, and problems worsened—some now calling for a new Constitution because NPP is popular and might, they fear, lose popularity later.

¶ 04 Our Government’s popularity is increasing, not decreasing, because we do not act against the people or oppress them. We will act according to our own timeline, not an Opposition agenda. We are committed—per our mandate—to bring a new Constitution, building on the 2015–2019 work and adding necessary elements. We are presently conducting electoral processes and must next hold Provincial Council elections. This should not be turned into a partisan contest. We have the two‑thirds needed and will bring a new Constitution, including our pledges on the Executive Presidency. Therefore, there is no need at this point to appoint committees or proceed as proposed.

¶ 05 Thank you.