By Faizer Shaheid

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says that the UPFA has 135 members in Parliament and it is a question whether they can be the Opposition in Parliament. “I don’t know if there are constitutional provisions on that and I don’t think the Speaker will have the right to do that. In the Constitution that I have read, it appears to be very complex.”

Excerpts of the interview:

Q
: There is a new President in power. What is the stand adopted by the SLFP in this regard?

A: His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena has now been elected, and he has proposed a plan of a 100 days. In his plan, the most salient part is the constitutional changes he is bringing in. The SLFP Central Committee discussed this matter on Friday and took a decision. As far as we are concerned, as the Party that commands the majority in Parliament, we would fully support all reforms that we see are important for the development of the country. Even President Mahinda Rajapaksa had proposed several reforms during his tenure, but unfortunately nobody participated. Now we have another opportunity under Maithripala Sirisena to implement the reforms. In that light, we will evaluate and choose whether to support each piece of legislation and changes that they envisage bringing in, based on the benefit that would be accrued to the public of this country. That is the plan at the moment.

Q
: Do you believe that the appointment of Ranil Wickremasinghe as the Prime Minister was constitutional in accordance with Article 47 of the Constitution?

A: Article 47 suggests that the Prime Minister will continue in office unless he is removed in writing by the President, resigns in writing to the President or ceases to be a Member of Parliament. To the best of my knowledge, neither of the three has happened. Further to this, Article 43 (3) of the Constitution says that the President shall appoint the Member of Parliament who is likely to command the most respect in Parliament. I really don’t understand how constitutional this is. There appears to be a grey area on the matter, and it is tough to make an assumption very quickly.

Q
: Will you accept a ministry and support the Maithripala Sirisena regime under his plans to form a national government?

A: As of now we don’t know where we stand. We are yet to find out what Maithripala Sirisena has in mind. The only thing we know is Maithripala Sirisena is now the elected President and Ranil has been appointed Prime Minister. I do not know the exact legal position on the matter, but reasonable time would be required to study the situation. On 19 January Parliament will be sitting, let’s see what happens.

Q
: What do you think about the complex situation currently faced by Parliament following the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister?

A: Admittedly, the whole system is very complex right now. His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena became President. We, the SLFP command the majority in Parliament and yet Ranil has been appointed Prime Minister and the Cabinet has been dissolved. There appears to be a complicated situation, but it is unfair for us to put the blame on them right now. From the little that I know, where there is no majority there is a question mark, but it is still a little too early to comment on the dissolution of the Cabinet. Let’s see what else unravels in the next 48 hours.

Q
: Do you expect to participate in the decision making of this national government proposed by Maithripala Sirisena?

A: It is not a question of my participation. It is a question of what we decide as a Party and as a group. I may have a different opinion altogether, but what is important is for the Party to function as a single unit.

Q
: Do you believe the new coalition consisting of the JHU, TNA and the SLMC, among others, would be able to function together and last to win the general election as well?

A: I wish them good luck. That is all I wish to say, and I think that explains everything. Let’s see what is going to happen. As for the general elections, we are in fact pushing for a general election. Maithripala Sirisena has proposed not to dissolve Parliament for the next 100 days, so we thought of giving him a chance and see what he comes up with. The 100 days is going to be very interesting and things can radically turn around. Let’s just wait and see.

Q
:The North and East was basically the deciding factor that made Maithripala Sirisena the President of this country. Do you think he’d be able to provide them an ideal solution for their worries?

A: Yes, the difference was only 446,000 votes and I think that was gone from the Eelam nut and that was where it was drawn in from. I really don’t know Sambandhan personally, but knowing Sambandhan for the work he has done in the last 10-15 years and Sumanthiran since 2006. I have had debates with them personally and publicly, but I really don’t know what their demands are. Maithripala Sirisena had said that they have had no demands placed, and if that is the case, well and good! Let’s wait and see what other mysteries unravel. In regard to the whether he can resolve the North-East problems, we are not worried about it as it is now in the hands of the President who has a different agenda unknown to us.

Q
: Having known President Maithripala Sirisena for a long time, do you think he is capable of doing so?

A: The people have given their mandate. Right or wrong, the people have given a mandate and I think at the moment the people have rightly done so. Perhaps, they may realize in time to come that it is not so, but till then let’s leave it open.

Q
: Will the SLFP be prepared to sit in the Opposition if that becomes the case?

A: I really don’t know, when you possess 135 or 136 Parliamentarians in your party whether you can sit in the Opposition. I don’t know if there are constitutional provisions on that, and I don’t think the Speaker will have the right to do that. I really don’t know but I will have to check on that. In the Constitution that I have read, it appears to be very complex.

Q
:There was a rumour that Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge would be reinstated as the Leader of the SLFP. Is there any truth in this rumour?

A: I really do not know, but there might be moves to do so. It all depends on the decisions of the Central Committee and senior party members. However, I don’t think the member will do so and I believe they would do the right thing. As of now, the Leader is His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa and there is no tangible reason for this to be changed.

Q
: Will the SLFP continue to push for the expulsion of those suspended from the party?

A: That is the legal position as far as the Central Committee is concerned. As far as the SLFP Constitution goes, there are certain laid down principles and policies and there is a manner to treat defections. I am leaving the issue to the legality of the Constitution, but if they are found guilty of violating the Party Constitution, they are certain to be expelled.

Courtesy:Ceylon Today