{"id":20559,"date":"2023-03-20T11:55:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T06:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lankatruth.com\/en\/?p=20559"},"modified":"2024-01-09T12:26:12","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T06:56:12","slug":"laws-and-constitutions-cannot-be-changed-because-of-an-absurdity-in-someones-head-insulting-the-judiciary-is-a-serious-offence-we-will-take-further-action-vijitha-herat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lankatruth.com\/en\/?p=20559","title":{"rendered":"Laws and constitutions cannot be changed because of an absurdity in someone’s head\u2026 Insulting the judiciary is a serious offence\u2026 We will take further action – Vijitha Herath"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Laws and constitutions cannot be changed because of an absurdity in someone’s head, insulting the judiciary is a serious offense and the National People’s Power will take further action against says Vijitha Herath, Member of Parliament, National Executive Member of the NPP.
He said this while addressing a press conference held at the JVP head office at Pelawatta yesterday (19th).
Dr. Ashoka Ranwala, the national executive member of the NPP was also present.
Mr Herath said, \u201cToday is March 19, 2023. After 12.00 midnight today, the term of office of all Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sbahas will end. After 12.00 midnight today, the mayors, chairmen and councilors of these institutions will no longer be able to act as public representatives. According to the constitution, the official term ends. That is why the election should have been held before March 19. But the government kept deliberately postponing the election. This election was supposed to be held in late February or early March last year. the minister using his powers postponed it for a year. The Election Commission fixed the date for holding the election on March 9 this year. But we all know that the government did not provide the necessary funds to the Election Commission to conduct the election. That is why the Election Commission had to postpone the election till April 25. As of today, a situation has arisen where the election cannot be held on that date. The Ministry of Finance has not yet given the relevant funds to the Government Printe and the Election Commission. Recently, the Supreme Court gave a special decision. The Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Ranil Wickramasinghe as the Minister of Finance were ordered to provide the necessary funds to the Government Printer to print the ballot papers. Therefore, now the cabinet has no right not to provide the money allocated by the parliament.
The Constitution clearly states that the financial power of this country is vested in the Parliament. According to those powers, money was allocated for the year 2023 in December 2022. It was in the budget proposals that 10 billion rupees was allocated for the local government elections to be held this year. It is the responsibility of the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and the Minister of Finance to give that money to the Election Commission without delay. But Ranil Wickramasinghe as the Finance Minister is sidestepping to avoid allowing funds unconstitutionally. Therefore, the court gave this historic decision. Today, the finance minister is working in disregard of the Supreme Court’s decision. The chief officer in charge of the ministry’s finances is the secretary. He is the Secretary of the Treasury. Issuance of money is his responsibility. He leaves it to the finance minister and remains silent. He has no right to ignore responsibility. He is constitutionally bound to give this money to the Election Commission. This is the first time that such an action is taking place. Ranil Wickramasinghe’s anti-democratic and arbitrary interventions are the reason why the money needed for this vote is not given.
Now a new question has been raised. Member of Parliament Dolawatta and Member Semasinghe criticized the court decision and tried to interpret it as a violation of the privileges of the members of parliament. This is not a violation of the privileges of the Members of Parliament. Obviously, the court decision has given an order to the executive. Court decisions have been taken against the cabinet on various occasions before. The Cabinet cannot change the one passed by the Parliament. If it is changed, it must be approved again in the parliament. The cabinet is bound to give the money passed by the parliament to the commission. It cannot be changed by a single person because of a headache. Therefore, the amount needed for the election should be given. MPs Dolawatta and Semasinghe are trying to interprit it as a violation of parliamentary privileges. However, the court order has further strengthened the power of the Parliament. The constitution clearly mentions the power of the sovereignty of this country. Governing Powers Fundamental Rights and Suffrage of the People. No one can take away the sovereign power. The cabinet cannot be hijacked. Therefore, we reiterate to the Finance Minister and the Finance Secretary to bow to the court’s decision. They will have to suffer the consequences of disobeying court decisions.
When Maithripala Sirisena held the position of Executive President, he unconstitutionally prorogued the Parliament and gave the parliamentary power to another group. By leading the 52-day coup, Maithripala Sirisena violated the constitution. 121 of us MPs signed a petition and submitted it to the court. Ranil Wickramasinghe is also a signatory. The Supreme Court gave a historic decision that day. That judgment was given against the executive. Ranil Wickramasinghe was able to accept that decision. Today, Ranil is not accepting the court decision but is making it a joke. There are many such cases in history. In each case, the cabinet bowed to the court’s decision. Protecting the independence of the judiciary is a responsibility of the legislature.
Today, Ranil Wickramasinghe is undermining the Election Commission and the judiciary. Now, Ranil instigated by the I.M.F. is trying to make the Central Bank an independent institution. The 17th, 19th, 20th and 21st constitutional amendments passed by the Parliament are not protected but are undermine deploying his ctchers. By undermining them, they undermine the judiciary. Suddenly the Parliamentary Privileges Committee was established.
Chamal Rajapaksa was appointed as its chairman. Now the question raised by Dolawatta MP has been referred to that committee. This privilege committee has been convened on the 23rd at 10.30 am. In its agenda, the privilege issue of the Dolawatta MP has been clearly presented. This is a very serious situation. The law of our country and the sovereignty of the law has been undermined. It is an undermining of the constitution which is the supreme law of the people.
When a president takes office, he takes an oath and pledges to protect the constitution with respect and dignity. Ranil Wickramasinghe also took an oath before the Chief Justice that he will protect the constitution with respect and dignity. Today, Ranil is violating this constitution. This is a very serious situation.
We emphasize to the government, on behalf of the people, to immediately bow to this court decision and provide the necessary funds to hold the election. The executive and the cabinet have no right to go against it. Also, provide the basic infrastructure needed to hold the election on April 25. For the postal vote currently scheduled for March 28, 29, 30, give the money to the office immediately. If you have not done so already, take legal action against it. We have already gone to the court as the NPP. Challenging the interference of the election, a new case has been initiated. And various parties have challenged these measures. That process is going forward. Pushing this back through the judicial process is also a trick of the government. The court proceedings will not end soon. Using it, they are trying to postpone the election. Don’t let that happen and hold this election immediately. Ranil Wickramasinghe has no right to seize the people’s sovereignty and voting power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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