PARLIAMENT

At the invitation of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, party leaders and members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business met in Parliament yesterday afternoon (18) to find short-term and long-term solutions from within parliament to the current crisis.

A number of party leaders called for the drafting of a new constitution as a long-term measure and the strengthening of Parliament by bringing in the 21st Amendment to the Constitution as a short-term mechanism.

Attention was also drawn to some of the positive proposals expected by the people given the current situation. Amending the Constitution to bring Ministers and Members of Parliament under the supervision of the Auditor General, making amendments to enable the Auditor General to audit political parties; prohibition on procurement of goods and services without bidding for government contracts and amendments to ensure transparency in government contracts, these include a number of proposals; amending legislation to allow the government to seize assets that are found to be illegally earned by politicians and their relatives or public servants and deposited in foreign banks or financial institutions, and to prohibit dual citizens from being elected to parliament and as the Executive president.

The Speaker further said that the people of the country expect the support of all party leaders, Members of Parliament and people's representatives from various walks of life for the efficient and non-corrupt governance that prioritizes the well-being of the country.