Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa on 16v November said that President and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe should take steps to abolish the civil rights of all individuals responsible for the country’s economic crisis through a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry (SPCoI).
On Tuesday (14), the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former President, Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and incumbent Government Parliamentarian attorney Mahinda Rajapaksa and several others are responsible for the economic crisis that Sri Lanka is grappling with.
Commenting on the SC ruling in Parliament, Premadasa said that numerous parties are now calling for the abolition of the civil rights of those who have been ruled responsible for the economic crisis.
“The process of abolishing someone’s civil rights is something that has to be done following the Constitution and other related legislations. The people are now saying that those who are responsible for the economic crisis should not be allowed to vote or contest in elections again.”
Noting that the relevant process has to be carried out through a Special Presidential CoI under the Special Presidential CoI Law, No. 7 of 1978, he said that it is the President who should take the initiative.
“The President should initiate this process. I don’t know if he would be interested in doing it as he has become the President with the votes of 134 parliamentarians who are also responsible for the economic crisis, however, the majority of the people are calling for the abolition of these individuals’ civil rights.”
The Special Presidential CoI Law states that the President is empowered to appoint a Special Presidential CoI whenever the President considers it necessary that an inquiry be held and information obtained as to the administration of any public body or local authority, the administration of any law or justice, the conduct of any public official, or any matter in respect of which an inquiry will be in the public interest or with regard to public safety or welfare.
(themorning.lk)
