Bills for idependent commissions by 18 Sept.

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 September 2001, 10:39 GMT]
The ruling People's Alliance announced Tuesday it would table the draft bills in parliament for establishing independent commissions on September 18. "The debate on these draft bills would commence on the same day. These draft bills would be submitted before the Supreme Court to determine their legality," said Minister Richard Pathirana, the leader of the house for the PA in the Parliament.

The opposition has demanded that the island's judiciary, public service, Police election commission and the media should come under independent commissions. The JVP made this one of its key demands in the negotiations to back the PA. The opposition feesl that the independent commissions would stop the government from manipulating the elections and influencing the judiciary.

"However the draft bill for the establishment of independent Media Commission will not be taken up for debate on 18 September. Only four draft bills for the establishment of independent commissions for election, police, judiciary and public service would be taken for debate on 18 September" said Mr.Richard Pathirana.

He said the motion of no confidence against the government submitted by the joint opposition earlier to the Speaker has now lapsed due to the prorogation of parliament. However if the opposition submits the no-confidence motion again on 6 September he would make necessary arrangements to debate it next day.