Friday, Oct 18, 2002
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By V.S. Sambandan
If the Government pushes ahead with its proposal for a snap poll before the end of the year, it would be the third general election in as many years and pose serious questions on the future of the island's latest peace negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), aimed at ending 18 years of armed separatist conflict. Ruling out a referendum on the proposed 19th amendment to curtail the powers of the President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, to dissolve Parliament after it completes a year, the Cabinet spokesman, G. L. Peiris, told a press conference here today that the United National Front (UNF) administration was considering making a ``direct appeal to the people'' as one of its options. He was also confident that given the ``present public opinion'' the UNF would get a two-thirds majority if snap polls were held. Prof. Peiris' observations come after the Supreme Court gave its opinion on the 19th amendment to the President and the Speaker yesterday, details of which will be made public when Parliament meets next week. The court's views on the need for a referendum and the validity of a clause providing for a conscience vote will determine the fate of the amendment. According to current indications, the proposed amendment would require popular ratification at a referendum and the conscience clause would not stand the judicial test. ``The Government does not intend to go in for a referendum'', Prof. Peiris said, pointing out that while the referendum would seek the public vote only on one issue, the ruling UNF would prefer a fresh mandate on a range of issues to bring in lasting peace. One of the options open to the Government, Prof. Peiris said, was to dissolve Parliament and call for fresh polls. If such a request was turned down by Ms. Kumaratunga, the Government would use its control over public finances as a ``strong leverage'' to ensure political stability, he said, but termed as ``hypothetical'' reports in sections of the media that the Cabinet would restrict funds for the President. The UNF administration entered into a ceasefire agreement with the LTTE, de-proscribed the rebels and started direct talks last month at Thailand's naval headquarters, Sattahip. The second round of negotiations is scheduled for later this month in Thailand.
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