Another Blow to democracy in Sri Lanka (AFTA).

Media Release 10, Sept. 2010


Another Blow to democracy in Sri Lanka

The Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations (AFTA), the umbrella body

of the peak Tamil associations in the States and Territories of Australia and New

Zealand, would like to bring to the attention of the International Community,

especially the Australian and New Zealand governments, that by passing another

amendment(18th) in a rush to the constitution of Sri Lanka in the Sri Lankan

parliament on Wednesday 8 September, the Sri Lankan government has paved

the way for the present dictatorial President Rajapaksa to extend his family rule

of his country indefinitely.

This amendment, which has been passed in a rush by the government without

public debate (with only one day debate in parliament) enables President

Rajapaksa to contest presidential election for any number of terms besides

bestowing additional powers in the appointments of key government positions.

Checks and balances and the safeguards brought in by the 17th Amendment to

the Constitution through a process of consensus have been largely removed.

Now the President will have unlimited powers to control the Election

Commission, the Public Service Commission, the National Police Commission

the Human Rights Commission, the Permanent Commission to Investigate

Allegations of Bribery and Corruption, the Finance Commission and the

Delimitation Commission.

Even the limited amount of devolution of powers to Tamils introduced through

the 13th amendment to the constitution, and not implemented so far, will be

under President’s discretion by the implementation of the 18th amendment.

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) boycotted the sittings, the

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) the main Tamil party in parliament voted against

the amendment, another opposition party the JVP held a massive protest rally

and several civic organisations including the National Christian Council (NCC)

of Sri Lanka have condemned the move. A statement from NCC that was

released to the media can be seen at;

http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2010_09_08_011.html .

AFTA strongly feels that the separation of powers between the executive,

legislative and the judiciary should be strictly maintained in preserving

democracy which is crucial for peace and reconciliation in a country that has

been affected by a 60 year long conflict between the Tamil and Sinhala Nations.

AFTA calls up on everyone who upholds democracy to condemn this antidemocratic

move and the Australian and New Zealand governments to respond appropriately.