UNP calls on President to implement 13th Amendment

The UNP yesterday informed President Mahinda Rajapakse that the 13th Amendment to the constitution was part of the law of the country and that there was no bar to its implementation.

This UNP position was brought to the President’s notice when the party met with the government delegation yesterday at Temple Trees.

The government delegation comprised President Rajapakse, Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Tissa Vitharana and Prof. Wishva Warnapala.

The UNP delegation comprised, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and MPs Rukman Senanayake and K.N. Choksy.

The Morning Leader learns that President Rajapakse had at the outset asked what the UNP’s position was with regard to the APRC proposals.

The UNP had said that the interim report states a final report would be issued shortly and that the party was awaiting that report.

Informed sources said the President had inquired whether the UNP supported the interim report. The UNP it is learnt had told the President that if he was inquiring after the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the constitution, it is already part of the law and that no one would question its implementation.

The UNP had further said that the party had submitted its proposals to Minister Vitharana months earlier and that if the final report is based on those proposals the party would support it.

The President had also told the UNP delegation that the government intends holding provincial council elections in the east and asked what the party’s position would be.

It is learnt the UNP informed the President that the climate was not conducive for holding elections in the east and that if the government insists on holding the elections, it will be difficult for the party to participate in it.

The UNP had further called up on the President to implement the 17th Amendment to the constitution, which provided for the Constitutional Council.

It is learnt the President had told the UNP that there was a parliamentary select committee studying the 17th Amendment and that once the process is completed, he would implement the amendment.

The UNP however had pointed out that the 17th amendment was already part of the law of the country and he had a duty to implement it.

"When the select committee completes its sittings and submits the report, then at that stage any amendments can be considered. Until such time the 17th Amendment, which provides for the appointment of the Constitutional Council should be implemented," the UNP had said.