Red Light From Athuraliye
By Camelia Nathaniel
| JHU parliamentarian Athuraliye Rathana Thera has issued a warning to the Government saying if they do not implement amendments to the Constitution as put forward by him he will resign from the UPFA together with several other powerful ministers. |
He said that if according to the proposed amendment, the powers vested with the Executive Presidency is not curtailed and the 17th Amendment is not reinstated prior to the upcoming Presidential Election, they will resort to drastic measures against the Government.
According to reliable sources, Rathana Thera is planning on fielding a new candidate for the presidential election if the government fails to implement the amendments as recommended. The Sri Lanka Freedom party, the United National party, Hela Urumaya, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and several left parties will get on the same platform on the 14th of this month in order to protect democracy in the country.
Venerable Rathana Thera together with the Pivithuru Hetak National Council has stated that the current Executive Presidency has affected every citizen in this country and that the immense power held by one person is not favourable for the progress of this country and its people. Hence the Thera believes that there should be a responsible structure that needs to be established, where the President is held accountable for his actions.
Hence Rathana Thera is scheduled to hand over to parliament a set of recommendations for constitutional amendments at a ceremony to be held at the BMICH on the 14th of this month.
