A number of MPs have used the debate on the composition of the Constitution Council (CC) and the appointment of civil members to the CC to derail the progress made by the 19th amendment to the constitution, a Sri Lankan election watchdog said.

Parliament was unable to come to a consensus about the three civil members yesterday (June 10th) and because of this the activities of the Bribery Commission and the appointment of the Elections Commission have come to a standstill, according to the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE).

“Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya celebrated his 60th birthday last week but due to the stalemate on CC he is unable to retire, which is a right he should enjoy after a distinguished career,” CaFFE Executive Director Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon stated.

CaFFE believes that it is the “most corrupt” members of parliament who are against the appointment of the constitutional council, he said.

“We have identified that a number of MPs who were infamous for election law violations, election related violence, abusing state property shamelessly, attempted to intimidate the public servants and bribe voters are at the forefront of the campaign to stop the CC being appointed.”

“Moreover those who have a number of corruption charges and are fearing imminent arrest are doing their best to stop the appointment of an independent Bribery Commission. These individuals have vested interests in derailing the victories of the 19th amendment.”

“CaFFE also noted that a number of MPs, including national Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, questioned the qualifications of the three nominated civil members to the CC, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, Dr. Radhika Coomarswamy and A.W.A. Salam in parliament.”

“CaFFE finds it ironic that these MPs, most of them belong to the 142 MPs who do not have passed A/L, are questioning these three distinguished individuals,” Mr Tennakoon added.

He stated that CaFFE believes that it is the duty of all who are interested in good governance to stand together and defeat the attempts to derail the victories of 19A.