Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is calling on the government to include provisions in the proposed 22nd amendment to the constitution that will ban MPs from crossing over in parliament. According to Dissanayake, the constant changing of camps by parliamentarians has contributed to the serious decline of Sri Lankan politics.

“We have a culture of MPs crossing over for various reasons such as to obtain Ministerial positions, benefits, money, land, houses and even to evade legal proceedings. By crossing over after the people have voted they distort the opinion of the people” he said. The JVP leader made these comments during a press conference held at the party headquarters in Pelawatta yesterday.

Dissanayake said the party proposed a similar provision to be added to the 19th amendment. “We wanted the MP position of those who crossover to be nullified through the 19A. But the proposal was struck off. But the people of this country believe in this culture of crossovers for benefits and to evade crimes committed” he said. The JVP leader said his party believes this amendment should at least now be included in the 22A.

He also said considering the large number of Ministerial positions now being handed out an amendment must also be included to limit Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial posts while State Minister positions should be entirely struck off. “Even after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee, the old group was once again appointed as Ministers. More Ministerial positions are also set to be handed out. This constitution allows the President to gamble with public funds” he said. According to him, therefore, limits to such positions should be included in the 22A. “The maximum should be 25 Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial positions each,” he said.

The JVP leader said the provision in the existing constitution allowing the parliament to appoint a President is also problematic.

“This allows a person who cannot become an executive President to be appointed as one for four and a half years. This is undemocratic. It does not represent the sovereignty of the people. Therefore we propose a President can be appointed temporarily for 6 months after the post is vacated and an election to be held thereafter to elect a new President” he said.