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PA-JVP agree on 17th Amendment

by Jayantha Sri Nissanka

The PA-JVP talks on the 17th Amendment to the Constitution to set up four Independent Commissions yesterday ended successfully, political sources told the Daily News yesterday.

The agreed proposals on the composition and powers of the Constitutional Council and the four independent Commissions will be submitted to the Cabinet today. Thereafter, they will be tabled in Parliament on September 24 as scheduled, he said.

The UNP had disagreed to a proposal made by the PA that the President can appoint a nominee to the Constitutional Council. But when the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was talking with the PA he had agreed that the President can appoint a nominee if he is given the Prime Minister's post, sources said.

Therefore, the JVP had agreed to the Government's proposal. They have rejected several other proposals made by the PA delegation but both parties were able to come to an agreement on major issues.

"There were many shortcomings in the draft proposals of the UNP," JVP sources said. According to the original UNP proposals, the Leader of the Opposition loses his post if Parliament is dissolved. But the JVP had suggested that this post be continued until the next Opposition Leader is appointed. The PA delegation had agreed to it.

There are 10 members in the Constitutional Council. It will comprise the Speaker, Prime Minister and three of his nominees, the Opposition Leader and three of his nominees and the President's nominee.

JVP members have also highlighted the increase of the flour price by Rs.1.60 and noted that it is a clear violation of the PA-JVP agreement. The Prime Minister has agreed to call a special meeting with the relevant authorities and rectify the matter.

The PA delegation was led by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and Ministers Sarath Amunugama, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Batty Weerakoon,Deputy Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Raja Collure MP, Secretary to the President K.Balapatabendi and Dr.Jayampathi Wickremeratne.

The JVP was represented by Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa, Nandana Gunathilake, MP and Bimal Ratnayake, MP.

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