'I am against 21A' : Six key points from BR presser

Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa today stepped down as a member of Parliament.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member said he has tendered his letter of resignation from the post to the Secretary-General of Parliament.

Addressing a special media briefing, Basil Rajapaksa highlighted the following six key points.

International Monetary Fund assistance

Soon after being appointed Finance Minister I sent the first letter to the IMF. Two representatives from the IMF thereafter arrived in Sri Lanka and met me and the President. We were involved in an IMF programme as the SLPP came into power. However, we came out of the programme based on the party’s policy. The matter of whether or not to reach out to the IMF was discussed multiple times at the Cabinet. Despite many objections, a final decision was taken to reach out to the IMF and I sent the initial letter. The President has said that the IMF should have assisted us much earlier. We did not delay in approaching the IMF.

Government-related posts

Governing the country and doing politics are two different facts. I have decided to step down as a member of Parliament to refrain from holding any form of government-related posts. However, I will continue in the political field and may engage in government affairs if the necessity arises in the future. I am most suited to do politics and wish to continue working with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Court cases

Various cases were filed against me and I was in remand custody for several months as well. However, the legal proceedings pertaining to the cases have concluded. I have been acquitted and released from all the cases. I was released from my final case last week.

21st Amendment

Personally, I am against the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. Transferring the power of a President who secured 6.9 million votes to a Prime Minister who obtained less than 253,000 votes is not right. I am in favour of strengthening the Parliament. But the current Prime Minister is not someone who was appointed by the Parliament. He was appointed by the President. It is problematic to give powers to such a Prime Minister.

The dual citizenship clause, Independent Commissions

I am also against the dual citizenship clause in the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. This was one of the key reasons for my decision to step down as an MP. However, I am in favour of certain factors, such as establishing independent commissions.

Support for 21A

I do not know if the 21st Amendment will be passed or not. If the powers could be distributed via Independent Commissions that benefit the public, then we should work towards such a change. I personally believe that if the Executive Presidency is being abolished then the electoral and local government systems too should be amended alongside this. There are different opinions on the 21st Amendment. I personally will most likely vote against the 21st Amendment. However, as the ruling party, SLPP MPs must be allowed to cast their votes on the amendment based on their conscience and not on the party’s decision. (NewsWire)