Sobitha thera says want action but willing to give MS-RW Govt. more time

By Jayashika Padmasiri
National Movement for a Just Society Chairman Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera yesterday urged swifter action from the President Maithripala Sirisena-Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe Government in fulfilling the promises made in the 100-day program though he noted more time may be needed before making any decisions.
Sobitha Thera, who recently called on the Government to either abolish the executive presidency or trim its excessive powers within the 100-day program told the Daily FT that the required time would be given to the Government before he made fresh representations to President Sirisena.
“There are 50 more days left for the Government to act. According to the information we are receiving, they are ready to bring about these changes within the next two weeks, so we are willing to give the Government more time,” the Thera added.
Reacting to the statement made by Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva regarding the Opposition being willing to give 200 days for the Government to fulfil its promises instead of the 100 days, Sobitha Thera said that the crucial thing was to get the work done and that the number of days were irrelevant.
Commenting on the demands of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to bring in constitutional amendments with the electoral reforms and the United National Party’s (UNP) argument of implementing constitutional amendments alone, Sobitha Thera said that those were matters that the two parties would have to discuss amongst themselves and arrive at a decision soon.