18th Amendment Questioned By Buddhist Clergy
By Nirmala Kannangara
Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero and Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero
The controversial constitutional amendments which allow an incumbent president to contest any number of terms and to replace the 10 member Constitutional Council (CC) with a five member Constitutional Advisory Committee (CAC) have come under severe criticism by leading Buddhist monks in the country.
They are of the view that only a pious and intelligent leader would be able to govern the country honourably .
Excerpts of interviews with leading Buddhist monks on the constitutional amendments:
Chief Incumbent, Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero queried why the government wished to bring new amendments to the present constitution which gives more power to the President when they have openly criticised the ‘78 Constitution and promised to abolish the presidency.
“Now we do not have a proper atmosphere to talk about what is good or what is bad. However there are two sides to these proposed constitutional amendments. If the unlimited executive power is not misused then we could expect a bright future for the country. But in the same manner if the power is misused for anyone’s survival or benefit then there would not be a country for our future generation,” Wimalarathana Thero told The Sunday Leader.
The Thero questioned as to why President Rajapaksa brought in amendments to the 1978 Constitution that give more power to the executive when the people have undergone immense hardships as a result of the J.R. Jayewardene constitution.
Chief Incumbent, Naga Viharaya Kotte, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero told The Sunday Leader that a dictatorship would be created once unlimited powers are vested in the executive.
“In 1978 when President J.R. Jayewardene introduced the new constitution Colvin R. de Silva, N.M. Perera and many more experienced politicians predicted the adverse impact of it. So we are now reaping the consequences of the 1978 Constitution. That was why President Chandrika Kumaratunga gave an assurance to the country that she would abolish the executive presidency no sooner she comes into power. But however she failed to stick to her promise and served her full term,” said the Thero.
“In 2005 Mahinda Rajapaksa in his election manifesto – Mahinda Chinthanaya clearly stated that the executive presidency that has been the bane of the country would be abolished during his first term. Then what happened after he was elected to office? He claimed that he needed the power to eradicate terrorism which was fairly true.
“But now after restoring peace why does he want more power and more terms? It is a known secret that he is benefiting from executive powers. So what would happen if he gets more power? There should be a limit to any thing.”
“I do not say President Rajapaksa is a bad administrator. It was he who won the war for us. But he is not immortal. What would happen if his successors misuse these powers? That is why we want a president or a prime minister who is accountable to the law of the land and to the parliament,” Sobitha Thero said.
Sobitha Thero further said that the proposed 18th Amendment would inflict a severe blow to the country’s state sector once the powers are given to the cabinet to appoint, promote, transfer, take disciplinary action and to remove the heads of government departments.
However Chief Incumbent, Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Inamaluwe Sri Sumangala Thero said that unlimited powers to the executive and his team should be welcome as the rulers need more power to re-build the country.
Take the J.R. Jayewardene regime for an example. He had to become a dictatorial ruler to bring the continuous agitations and strikes to a complete standstill by taking tough decisions. He did not listen to the opposition but took the decision to discipline the people. True the strikers lost jobs but still President Jayewardene had to take that tough decision not for him but for the betterment of the country.
So I think if the present rulers too could develop the country and bring back the lost glory even through a dictatorship without misusing powers then there is no harm to it,” Sumangala Thero told The Sunday Leader.
Secretary Incumbent to the Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayake Thero of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Sect, meanwhile said that it would be unsafe to vest more powers in the executive since it could lead to a dictatorship.
“President Mahinda Rajapaksa came into power promising to abolish the executive presidency during his first term. But now he wants to continue in office with more powers. Why does he need more power and more terms of office? There is a hidden agenda behind this and a dictatorship regime is inevitable,” the Thero claimed.
Secretary Incumbent to the Most Ven Asgiriya Mahanayake Thero Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero said that unless the unlimited powers are exercised for the betterment of the country and its people it could be dangerous for an individual to hold office continuously with more powers.
it is time that will tell who is right and who is wrong. We shall have to wait and see if this is right step forward or bad step backward: A lot has been said about this change and those in power say they have done this with good intention and let us see what is going to happen in years to come but one thing is sure that people will give their verdict in five years times in next election.
naseeff
You have fat hopes.
When MR has control of the Election Commissioner, Police, Armed forces.
and even the Judiciary, do you think he will allow an election that is likely to send him away?
18th ammendment is a very good move. We must re-build SL during the next 06 years.
Mr Palipana,
What made you think that this amendment is good. I am not debating with you. Just want to know why people support this while many of are against it.
Two terms for a leader is more than enough. Our two terms (12 years) is equal to three terms in the USA and other western countries. MR wants 18 years which is 4 and a half terms in the western world.
In the west leaders competing each other to serve the people and you know very well the situation in Africa and Asia.
Do you mean60 years????
good manners and good examples of out politicians will tell that. I hope that they do not use this change to accumulate family wealth through politics and every one wants a peaceful and good country: Every Citizen dream that but it is politician who could make this dream come through or die through.
Naseeff, I like your attitude. There is no point in closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. We have no choice but to wait and see as you said. What is wrong with us is not choosing right candidates to govern us by sticking with the granddad’s chosen political party. Just because a silly young woman has been unfairly dismissed from a TV show, why would people vote for her? Scoring a century and winning a world cup may be glorious but what qualification does it add to one to rule the country? Ratnasiri Wick’s son, Namal R, Lohan Ratwatte, Ruwan Wijewardene, Haleem, are just a few examples of the public voting for the son for the father. It is almost certain Anoma will take over from Fonseka when his terms in the prison are decided. Apart from lovely Rosy and Paba, all the other women in the house are either widows or daughters of MPs. Paba was dragged in for apparent injustice caused on her by the people who she beds now, but importantly both she and Rosy are quite dumb! Why can’t we vote for people who could do something, whose brains are in the right place or somewhere there?? Until we get this right, 18-A or 25-A will not help the country develop. The dumb lot will be used by the power hungry lot to secure their places. Like 1978 constitution, like 18-A, the constitution will be patched up to suit to the needs of rulers, not the general public.
Ruwan, I like your comment. You are a practicall guy. I know how you opposed this amendment but cant do a thing now. Its over and done with. Lets hope for the best for us & the country.
The problem is if a ‘madguy’ someday elected as the leader………?
DICTATORSHIP IS BAD FOR EVERY REASON.NEED TO BE A DICTATOR MEANS NEED TO DO WRONG THINGS AND PROTECT FROM PUNISHMENTS USING POWER,HYDE CHEATINGS AND THEFT OF THE NATIONAL WEALTH USING POWER.NO ONE NEED POWER THIS MUCH UNLESS TO DO BAD THINGS AND COVER FROM THE POWER.SRI LNKANS HAVE TO BE READY FOR BIG THIEVES AND BIG ROBERIES FROM THE LEADERS.THIS IS A VERY UNLUCKY COUNTRY,PROBLEMS AFTER PROBLEMS.THIS MAN WILL BE PRESIDENT PLUS DICTATOR UNTILL HIS DEATH,THEN PASS TO HIS SON AND ETC…,ALLREADY RAJAPAKSA’S ARE NOW BILLIONAIRES.THOSE WHO LEFT THE COUNTRY ARE LUCKY PEOPLE.
Truly speaking any government can’t fulfil the needs of the COMMON MAN with the PCs system. The Pradeshiya sabas , Municipalties too are highly corrupted,inefficient and unproductuve entities to the NATION. We must adapt other systems to counter that situation. Our main priority should be given to protect the COMMON PEOPLE but not the 225 MPs of the Parliament. That is the reality.
P.L.J.B.Palipana, P.Eng
SURREY, BC,CANADA
Palipana,
You forgot your MICE & MIStructE.
Dear You are 100% right and politics becomes game of play . Any one without any formal qualification could come MP and they do very little for our country good example with your list is Cader of Kandy district: he may be a good business man not a political man at all. Like all other areas of modern development politicians also need training and education otherwise, they can fooled by International diplomatics in today’s world: it is war of intellect and brain power that win the game in our modern world not war of weapons: That is why foolish Americans can not win in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Where were these Buddhist clergy leading up to the days this amendment was going to be brought to parliament. There was a stoic silence from all clergy. I think only the bishop of the Anglican church had the guts to issue a statement against this. Now that it is a done deal the can stand on their bald heads and yell till blue in the face it is not going to achieve anything.
Like Hussein says Pallipana WHAT IS THE GOOD YOU FIND IN THIS AMENDMENT. If you can list out 10 good points I will give you 3 times that number in bad points. You should know by now that the Rajapaksha’s will not implement anything not advantageous to them.
Ian and Hussein, Palipana is character, not a person. He doesn’t mean it what he says. I don’t think he understands what the 18-A is all about. Not only the Maha Sangha stayed quiet but indirectly supported the 18-A. The 17-A is the only good piece of work since 1972 that was done for the people. The executive presidency is an amazing position that nobody who has been in politics for too long, wants to leave easily. They will bring more amendments to clear the road for whoever they want in there. MR will contest in 2016. Namal will be 36 in 2022. So don’t be surprised if the 19-A is brought forward soon to legalise the age of presidential candidates to be strictly 36.
Hello Ruwan,
I am with you and Ian.
Cannot do anything now at all. Everyone kept silent and supported directly and indirectly including UNP, SLMC & JHU, and now UNP is opposing just for the sake of opposing.
I liked your humour with the ‘character’ part.