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Govt. has many options for stability — GL by Himangi Jayasundere October 18 Island: The government yesterday claimed that it had many options up its sleeve in bringing "stability" to the government but ruled out a referendum saying that it was more in favour of an election. "We are examining all options available to us and will decide on the best course of action. We feel that a referendum is not appropriate," Cabinet spokesman G. L. Peiris said. However, he added that this was merely "the current thinking" of the government and matters have not yet been finalised. A referendum will only address a specific issue but an election will deal with a whole gamut of issues, he elaborated, adding that an election was "more practical" than a referendum. Peiris also appeared to issue a veiled threat when he declared that parliament would use its control over finance as a "lever" where the will of the two thirds majority in parliament could not be implemented. "The government has every authority to determine financial policy. It determines the allocation to ministries and departments and if necessary we will exercise that authority," he said. He pointed out that the President cannot dissolve parliament for one year after a general election but the Parliament can make such a request to the executive. "We are therefore in a position if we so decide to bring about a dissolution of parliament". The Prime Minister alone enjoys the confidence of two thirds majority in parliament, he pointed out. Peiris said that the parliament would use its authority where it was faced with "undemocratic" actions and was unable to implement its policy. Elaborating on this he said that where the executive refused to comply with the majority of parliament to dissolve parliament, it would be considered "undemocratic". Asked if cuts in finances to the president would not affect the stability of government, Peiris said that he had not made any reference to cutting finances to the President and that he had merely indicated the lever the government was prepared to use if the need arose. In answer to another question he said that if there were constraints on the government it would not be able to implement the mandate given by the people for peace. He added that for the government to remain stable it was "crucial" that it was able to implement its decisions. Peiris refused to comment on the Supreme Court decision on the 19th Amendment, issued on Wednesday, saying "It is for the Supreme Court to lay down the law. The government has to identify political responses". (18/10/02 go2lanka.com) |