by Shamindra Ferdinando

Having ruled out talks with the SLFP to settle a dispute over far-reaching constitutional reforms to reduce presidential powers, JHU parliamentary group leader Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thera on Thursday morning met senior Opposition representatives at Sirikotha.

Chairman of the UNP Leadership Council and MP Karu Jayasuriya were among those present.

Ven. Rathana Thera visited Sirikotha several hours before the JHU at a hurriedly arranged meeting at New Town Hall declared its readiness to back common presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena, MP pending agreement on JHU’s constitutional reforms.

On behalf of the JHU, its General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka, MP said they would support any candidate who would agree to basically three major conditions—stripping the executive presidency of its draconian powers, establishing commissions for good governance and electoral reforms.

Well informed sources told The Island that Opposition political parties including JHU had reached agreement on those conditions at an initial stage of the negotiations and, therefore, the JHU could be a signatory to the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) scheduled to be finalised on Monday (Dec 1).

The event will take place under the auspices of chief incumbent of Kotte Naga Viharaya Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, the Convenor of the Movement for a Just Society.

Sources said that at the commencement of talks involving Opposition political parties as well as two civil society groups, namely Movement for a Just Society and Ven. Rathana’s Pivithuru Hetak, there had been essentially two major proposals as regards constitutional reforms.

Ven Rathana/JHU wanted to retain presidency sans what they called dictatorial powers, whereas the Movement for a Just Society demanded abolition of the presidency.

When The Island recently questioned Ven. Rathana on the difference in two proposals forwarded by him and Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, the JHU heavyweight said that those wanting to abolish the presidency could accept his proposal. Ven. Rathana insisted that the JHU would not dilute its proposal under any circumstances.

Courtesy:The Island