By Shamindra Ferdinando
Rebel SLPP MP Prof. G.L. Peiris has thrown his weight behind Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who has said that in his capacity as the Minister in charge of the Sports portfolio he could appoint an Interim Committee to run Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Prof. Peiris said there couldn’t be an issue regarding the Minister’s right to do so.
The former External Affairs Minister said: “The crucial issue is that our Constitution is based on the allocation of distinct sets of functions and responsibilities to the President, the Cabinet and individual Ministers. So long as a Minister is acting in good faith within his sphere of responsibility, it is unnecessary and impractical to require consultation with, much less approval by, the President or the Cabinet in respect of each decision or action. If it were otherwise, the entire constitutional system would be rendered unworkable.”
Prof. Peiris stressed that the ‘underpinnings of the Constitution consist of a democratic and participatory value system rather than a concentration of all discretionary power in one functionary or institution. This basic principle is violated by insisting on Presidential or Cabinet endorsement of every initiative by a Minister acting intra vires.’
Prof. Peiris said so when The Island asked him whether his group would back Minister Roshan Ranasinghe in the ongoing battle over the SLC.
Prof. Peiris said that those who were genuinely interested in restoring public confidence in cricket could easily reach consensus on a common stand.
Responding to another query,
Prof. Peiris said: “I have already assured Minister Ranasinghe of steadfast support and solidarity. I hold him in high esteem as a principled politician who does not succumb to pressure and cannot be manipulated”.
SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam yesterday told The Island that the party would support genuine efforts to clean up cricket though the party felt uncomfortable with some of the appointments made by the Sports Minister. Attorney-at-Law Kariyawasam stressed that there was no question about addressing the issues at hand without delay.