Commonwealth delegation calls on President

[October 13, 2004 - 10.30 GMT]  

A British delegation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) called on President Chandrika Kumaratunga at President’s House, Colombo this morning.

The delegation is on a study tour organized by CPA and the World Bank Institute (WBI), to examine the role of parliament in conflict-affected countries .

During their discussions President Kumaratunga expressed the government’s plans for electoral reforms, and the ongoing debate on the abolition of the executive presidency and to restore more powers to the Parliament.

The present Proportional Representation (PR) system of voting introduced by the 1978 Constitution has repeatedly failed to produce a stable government. The President explained this bizarre system only throws up hung parliaments which do not reflect the peoples’ mandate.

However, the President said, there are two schools of thought with regard to the electoral reforms, minority parties have a justifiable fear that they would be denied a fair representation in Parliament under the Westminster or the first past the post system of balloting.

“Therefore the government intends to introduce a system which consists of a mixed system of PR and the First Past the Post System that will provide equal opportunities for minority representation,” she added.

During their lengthy discussion, the CPA inquired how they could assist Sri Lanka in its educational needs.

“We have placed English education as the top most priority, English is the link language between the ethnic groups in the country,” the President said. She said she would appreciate assistance in training English trainers.

With regard to the peace process, President Kumaratunga reiterated government’s firm commitment to a negotiated settlement and said that a national consensus is on the way to achieve a final settlement.

The CPA delegation comprised Members of the British Parliament viz Graham Allen, Eric Forth, Austin Mitchell, Linda Perham.

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Last Updated Date: October 13, 2004  - 10.30 GMT.