By Shamindra Ferdinando

The original draft of the 19 Amendment provided for the formation of a national government only once after the recently concluded parliamentary polls and that provision had been done away with as demanded by the SLFP-led UPFA in the last parliament, authoritative sources told The Island yesterday.

Instead, the UPFA wanted the clause that dealt with national government to be a permanent feature, sources said, adding that the original 19 Amendment was aimed at facilitating a national government involving the parties/coalitions that secure the two largest blocks of seats.

The change had been effected at the committee stage when every bill needs to obtain clause-by-clause approval. Responding to a query, sources pointed out that the provision at issue had been tailor-made for the UPFA and the UNP, though 19 Amendment in its present form could pave the way for an administration involving one of the two major parties/coalitions and a smaller party. Sources said that a fresh look had to be taken at the 19 Amendment.

The clause that dealt with the formation of national government should be done away with as it was at variance with the 19 Amendment. They pointed out that the 19 Amendment envisaged restricting the number of ministers and deputy ministers to 30 and 40, respectively. But, strangely, a clause had been included in the same Amendment to pave the way for an unlimited number of ministers and deputies, sources said. By giving parliament the power to decide the number of ministers and deputies, a particular administration could at any given time negate the very purpose of the 19A, sources said.

Sources said President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had agreed to further review the executive presidential powers. According to the recently reached agreement between the two parties, the move is meant to further strengthen parliament at the expense of the presidency.

Courtesy:The Island