PA set to confront Ranil government

Sri Lanka's main opposition People's Alliance (PA) was setting the stage for a major confrontation with the ruling United National Front (UNF) government yesterday with threats to defy a court order and block the holding of a referendum on the proposed constitutional amendments.

The PA yesterday declared that President Chandrika Kumaratunga will hold the powers to decide on implementing the court order over holding a referendum.

"The President can even delay holding the referendum on the grounds that the security situation is not conducive for such poll or that the government lacks funds for such a poll," former minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

His comments came amidst strong speculation that the country will have to face a referendum about the proposed constitutional amendments which are due to be presented in Parliament within the next two weeks.

The amendments deal with reducing the presidential powers of dissolving parliament after the completion of one year and enabling members to vote according to their conscience without following party whip and the respective party will not be able to take any disciplinary action against those voting against party decisions.

The amendments first require a two-thirds majority in parliament and thereafter need to be put forward for the Supreme Court which will decide whether the two-thirds majority is sufficient or should it go for a referendum.

Constitutional expert, H.L. de Silva, who is known to be close to the main opposition PA, has declared that a referendum will be required for such an amendment.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris declared on Thursday that though he was not sure whether the constitutional amendment need to be placed for a referendum, his party was not scared to go before the people and face the referendum.

The move by the PA to prevent holding of a referendum will delay any government plans to get the amendments incorporated into the constitution.

Both, the UNF and PA are already at loggerheads and this was the latest clash between the two sides.

The cohabitation agreement between the two sides have already begun collapsing, despite attempts by former foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar to bring back to track the agreement. Kadirgamar earlier this week met with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the issue.

"The reality is that the agreement is not work," Kadirgamar said.