ACNS - A Plea to Withdraw the Eighteenth Amendment

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> A Plea to Withdraw the Eighteenth Amendment

> Posted On : September 7, 2010 3:07 PM

Posted By : Webmaster

ACNS: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2010/9/7/ACNS4723
Related Categories: Sri Lanka

A Statement by the Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo

Many sections of the population are deeply alarmed at the possible
repercussions the proposed 18th Amendment to the Constitution will
have on our system of democratic governance.

If passed by Parliament, the constitutional changes will remove the
restriction on the two terms a person can serve as President, which
all democratic countries with an Executive Presidency subscribe to. In
addition, it will much more than before empower the Government and
President to select and appoint persons to serve on the crucial
commissions that are meant to safeguard the democratic rights of the
people, such as the Elections Commission, Public Services Commission,
Judicial Services Commission, National Police Commission, Bribery
Commission and so on.

The nature of partisan politics is such that this will no doubt be a
step backwards. It will inevitably lead to a further, dangerous
politicisation of our national institutions and a speedier,
destructive erosion of our already fragile democratic culture.

It is therefore imperative that Parliament rejects this Bill, and that
all who value democratic freedom in the country voice their objection 
to it.

Along with this, Parliament and the people should call for the full
activation of the 17th Amendment (passed by consensus between the
Government and Opposition Members of Parliament), which ensures the
independence of the Commissions referred to. It is only after this
amendment is given a chance to impact on our shared national life that
we will be able to assess the need for any further democratic
constitutional amendments.

If and when such a stage is reached there must be no haste to rush
Bills of such serious implications through Parliament, as is being
done with the 18th Amendment; and adequate space must be provided for
public debate. It is when the people are properly informed of the pros
and cons of constitutional change, and given a chance to participate
in this process and make informed decisions, that democracy prevails
and our legislators fulfill their obligations. The political freedom
that our legislators are endowed with is determined by the democratic
rights and aspirations of the people. To disregard these obligations
amounts to a misappropriation of the peoples' trust.

May the God of peace and justice hear our cry and bless and nourish
our beloved nation.

> With peace and blessings to all

The Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera Bishop of Colombo

> 2nd September 2010