An Open Letter To Hon. Member Of The Parliament

By Krishan Deheragoda -April 18, 2015

Prof. Krishan Deheragoda

ByDear Hon. Member of the Parliament Representing the People of Sri Lanka,

Sri Lankan Alumni and Professionals Association (SLAPA) represents the scholars and professionals of Sri Lankan origin, who are conscious of their indebtedness to the People of our Motherland for the gift of free education and are religiously dedicated to achieve the primary goal of SLAPA ‘to make our Motherland a better place to live for ourselves and our posterity’.

We recognise that it is our fervent duty and priority to be united and arrest the gradual erosion that has occurred during the last few decades in national unity, dignity, peace, good governance, rule of the law, social equity, rights of the people and social values as clearly evident by all relevant indicators. Unless we abandon this destructive course and effect a conscious change in our vision and engagement, our hope for a better Sri Lanka would become a mere myth.

We value and welcome the promises given by both Presidential Candidates at the last presidential election in their respective manifestos for amendments to the constitution, good governance and other people friendly reforms. These positive changes have been endorsed by 6.2 million and 5.8 million people respectively. Our informed opinion is that the entire constitution must be replaced. However, we expect all parties in the Parliament to work in a harmony and achieve consensus not to waste the present window of opportunity arising from a unique political formation for effecting at least limited constitutional changes that are nationally important and constructive in the long run as outlined below:

The independent commissions established by the 17th Amendment as the foundation for good governance, but had been defunct by the 18th Amendment to be reinstated with further improvements through the 19th Amendment;Read More