Speaker says all parties are responsible for the delay in implementing reforms

Speaker WJM Lokubandara told BBC Sandeshaya that it is the responsibility of the Parliamentary Select Committee to come out with proposals to amend 17 amendment to the constitution.

He admitted that there is a public perception that the government and all political parties are deliberately delaying submitting new proposals.

It is important to implement the amendment in order to safeguard the supremacy of the parliament, to eradicate bureaucracy and for good governance Speaker WJM Lokubandara

Mr. Lokubandara made the remarks after observing in the parliament that it is important to implement the 17 amendment to safeguard the democracy in Sri Lanka.

“It is important to implement the amendment in order to safeguard the supremacy of the parliament, to eradicate bureaucracy and for good governance,” speaker Lokubandara told BBCSinhala.com.

The 17 amendment that established independent commissions for public services, police, elections and human rights was made defunct as a result of smaller political parties failing to appoint their nominee to the Constitutional Council (CC).

Credibility of commissions

However, President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not appoint the CC even after smaller parties agreed on their nominee a few months ago.

	UN Human Rights body questioned the credibility of the NHRC

Instead, he appointed the members for the public bodies without seeking the CC's consent.

Religious and civil society leaders have called upon the president to appoint the CC without delay.

The Speaker said he has no authority over speeding up the procedures of the Select Committee.

“The Speaker cannot influence the proceedings of these committees which are represented by all political parties in the House,” he said.

The representatives of the public should “wake up”, he said, to eradicate the public mistrust that they are deliberately holding up implementing the vital democratic reforms.