INTESTATE SUCCESSION UNDER MUSLIM LAW

The most diverse law in Srilanka is law of succession, thus it may be quoted as a patchwork of customary practices and values pertaining to the succession of properties in Srilanka. Law of succession in Srilanka evolves with principles of all major legal systems over the world, It concedes the principles of Roman Dutch law, English law, Shariah law and the customary laws of Srilanka Tesawalamai, Kandian law.

Every Srilankan have peculiar rights of succession in property according to his or her identity. As we all know the succession of properties have two main classifications such as testate succession and intestate succession. The testate succession of property is governed by Wills ordinance of Srilanka regardless of ethnicity or identity. Section 2 of the wills ordinance permits every person to dispose his properties as he choose thus no other means have effect on testate succession other then this provision of wills ordinance.

This article is going to analyze the Intestate succession of Muslims in Srilanka. As I have mentioned earlier Srilankan legal system has recognized the customary practices and laws in case of succession. So Muslim law is one of the major customary law is the major source of Muslim intestate succession. Muslim intestate succession ordinance no 10 of 1931 is the unique statute which regulates the Muslim intestate succession. Section 2 of the ordinance provides as follow

“It is hereby declared that the law applicable to the intestacy of any deceased Muslim who at the time of his death was domiciled in Sri Lanka or was the owner of any immovable property in Sri Lanka shall be the Muslim law governing the sect to which such deceased Muslim belonged.”

So from the above section it’s a clear fact that Muslim intestate succession is completely governed by Muslim law applicable to the sect which such deceased Muslim belonged. In this section the Muslim law denotes Sharia law which applicable to the deceased person.

Principles of Intestate succession under Muslim law/ Shariah law 

Shariah law is based on the al-Quran, al-Sunnah, the consensus of the Prophet companions and their ijtihad (the process of making a legal decision by independent interpretation of the legal sources, the   al-Quran and the Sunnah). In the al-Quran, there are two verses related to inheritance which are the mujmal verse and the mufassal verse. The verses in the first category explain the beneficiaries‟ rights in general without discussing their portions in detail. While the verses in the second category, which is the al-mawarith verse, Allah s.w.t. explained in detail regarding the beneficiaries and the portions or shares for each of the beneficiary.

Among the verses that are mujmal in nature, Allah s.w.t commanded meaning:

·         “For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share”[1]

·         “But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things”[2]

From the above two verses from al-Quran it is insisted that  every person has the right on succession of the property of their parent or close relatives regardless of gender or any other basis moreover the second verse is a guide line in determining the route of heirs. It gives the Impression that the heirs should be determined according to the blood relationship.

The principle of inheritance distribution in Islam is that the portion for a male beneficiary is equivalent to two parts of the female beneficiary. The distribution of inheritance in such a case must be made based on the method that a male beneficiary’s portion is equivalent to two parts of the female beneficiary’s portion[3]. As per these principles the heirs under the Muslim law of inheritance can be admitted into two levels 

LEVEL I - PRIMARY (Immediate) HEIRS

1. The SPOUSE (Husband or a maximum of four Wives)

2. The CHILDREN (Sons and Daughters)

3. The PARENTS (Father & Mother)

4. The GRANDCHILDREN (Sons’s SON or Son’s DAUGHTER only)

(Applicable only when the SON is already deceased only and has offspring)

LEVEL II - SECONDARY HEIRS

1. The GRANDPARENTS (Paternal and Maternal)

2. The BROTHERS and/or SISTERS (In the absence of Father and Son ONLY)

3. The UNCLES and/or AUNTS (In the absence of Grandparents ONLY)

4. The NEPHEWS and/or NIECES (In the absence of Brothers and Sisters ONLY)

Under Islamic Law, the primary beneficiaries of a deceased person are his/her IMMEDIATE (Level I) Heirs. Spouse(s), Children, Parents and Grandchildren (if children are deceased only). The Grandchildren who are entitled is only the Son’s Son or the Son’s Daughter. Daughter’s children are not entitled even if the Daughter is deceased. In the absence of some or all of these heirs the secondary beneficiaries (Level II) become Heirs under various conditions. In the absence of a particular Heir (ex:Uncle) if and when he/she is entitled the children of that Heir become eligible.

Standard shares allocated to primary and secondary heirs under Shariah law (for SHAFI SECT)

1.      Husband

Gets 1/2 if his wife (the deceased) does not have any children (male or female) or grandchildren or younger, or 1/4 if the deceased has a child (male or female) or grandchildren or younger.

2.      Wife

Gets 1/4 if the deceased (the husband) does not have any children (male or female) or grandchildren or younger, or 1/8 if the deceased has a child (male or female) or grandchildren or younger.

3.      Father

Gets 1/6 if the deceased has a son, or a son from a son or younger, or 1/6 and asabah[4] if the deceased has a daughter, or asabah if the deceased does not have any children (male or female), daughter to a son or younger.

4.      Grandfather (father to a father)

The position of a grandfather is similar to the father, but the grandfather will not inherit anything as long as there is a father because a grandfather is shielded by the father. The grandfather will get 1/6 or 1/6 and asabah or asabah which is the similar to the father.

5.      Mother

Gets 1/6 if the deceased has a son, or a daughter to a son or younger, or has a few siblings (male or female); or 1/3 of the total inheritance value if the deceased has no such beneficiaries as mentioned above; or 1/3 balance if the deceased left behind either a husband or a wife and a father without other beneficiaries

6.      Grandmother

A grandmother will not receive any portion of the inheritance as long as there is the mother. The grandmother only receives 1/6 be it one person or more.

7.      Daughter

Gets 1/2 if there is only one daughter, 2/3 if there are two or more daughters or gets asabah bi al-ghayr[5] while being together with the son. A son gets two parts of a daughter’s portion.

8.      Daughter to son

Gets 1/2 if one; 2/3 if there are two or more, 1/6 if the daughter is with a female child; gets asabah bi al-ghayr when being with a son to a son or shielded by a son or by two daughters, except when there is a son to a son who also receives asabah bi al-ghayr.

9.      Female sibling of the same parents

Gets 1/2 if there is only one; 2/3 if there are two or more; asabah bi al-ghayr while being with a male sibling of the same parents; asabah ma’a al-ghayr[6] while being with a daughter or a daughter to a son or with both; or is shielded by the son or a male grandson or younger.

10.  Female sibling of the same father

Gets 1/2 if one; 2/3 if two or more; 1/6 if with a female sibling from the same parents; asabah bi al-ghayr if with a male sibling of the same father; asabah ma’a al-ghayr while with a daughter or a daughter to a son, or with both; or shielded by a son, a grandson, a father, a male sibling of the same parents, two female siblings of the same parents (except when there is a male sibling of the same father) and by a female sibling of the same parents when she is receiving asabah ma’a al-ghayr.

11.  Female sibling of the same mother

Gets 1/6 if alone, or 1/3 if two or more; or shielded by male or female descendants, father or grandfather.

12.  Male sibling of the same mother

Gets 1/6 if alone or 1/3 if two or more; or shielded by either male or female descendants, father or grandfather.

Please note that Son is not part of this classification However, He always gets a share in inheritance (expect any legal impediment blocks him). He gets his share as a Residuary as he is not mentioned in Quran with any fixed share. Quran did not explicitly spell out the share of the son. Hence, he is primary heir without a fixed share

“Allah commands you as regards your childrens (inheritance); to the male, a portion equal to that of two females; if (there are) only daughters, two or more, their share is two thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is half.[7]”

Hence, Son minimum share is twice as much as daughters‟. And he also gets remainder of residue after distributing shares. Only the legitimate son is considered as primary heir Adopted child, foster child etc are all excluded from Mirath (inheritance) in Shariah Adultery and fornication (Zina) is forbidden in Islam, hence, no inheritance is given to illegitimate child. Son always gets his share as a Residuary. After all the primary heirs with fixed share have been given their allotted share, then the residue is given to the son. If there is a daughter, then son and daughter both shares as Residuary General rule that Male gets twice as female applies. If there is daughter, son gets twice as much share as daughter.

Conclusion

Rainbow legal system of Srilanka is the fertile platform of identical laws where the customary practices flourished. Muslim law also such a salient customary practice which derived from the very great jurisprudence Shariah law . Muslim law in Srilanka adopts the nature and practices of Srilankan Muslims but in some cases such as testate succession and etc. the Muslim law directs to rely on the very main source Shariah law. As per the Muslim intestate succession ordinance the intestate succession of Muslim domicile is govern by the relevant Shariah law though he/she is a citizen of Srilanka or foreigner

The Islamic Inheritance Law is a commandment of Allah s.w.t. through the qat’i verses 11, 12 and 176 of al-Nisa. These verses describe the rightful beneficiaries of the inheritance and the portions which they deserve such as 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/3, 2/3, or 1/6. The Islamic Inheritance Law has brought some reformations which did not exist in previous laws. Such law has been commanded by of Allah s.w.t. solely to provide justice to all mankind. Thus, the incorporation of the Islamic Inheritance Law has its own philosophy and insight which may not be internalized and embraced by some people today. Muslims believes this law has a clear policy and is comprehensive in nature because it is a commandment from Allah s.w.t. who knows all things.

The basic principles in Shariah law regarding  intestate succession are as follows

·         The establishment of portions for each beneficiary which means that all fardu and asabah beneficiaries will receive their shares. Shares for the ashab al-furud beneficiaries have been determined by Allah s.w.t. which can be either 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3, or 1/6 as described in the al-Quran

·         Members of the comprehensive (syumul) beneficiaries, the beneficiaries who are entitled to receive a portion of the inheritance include all the beneficiaries or relatives, whether big or small, old or young, rich or poor, even the fetus in the womb of its mother is given the right to inheritance. Similarly, a husband or a wife is entitled to receive the wealth even though they are not relatives, but they share the sacred relationship of a marriage, the sacrifice, mutual cooperation and loyalty between them.

·         Rights of women and children in inheritance and their portions, which means that women’s and children’s rights are guaranteed in the Islamic inheritance. The portions to be rightfully received by women are either  2/3, 1/3, 1/6, 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8. Children receive the same portions of inheritance, whether they are big or small

·         Preference to relatives who are closer to the benefactor if there is no specific barrier which may prevent them from receiving the inheritance.

---

[1] al-Quran, al-Nisa 4:7

[2] al-Quran, al-Anfal 8:75

[3] al-Quran, surah al-Nisa‟ 4: 11

[4] asabah beneficiary is a beneficiary whose portion of the inheritance is not clearly defined by either the al-Quran or the Sunnah. Sometimes they receive all of the inheritance; sometimes just the balance

[5] asabah bi al-ghayr beneficiaries comprise four female beneficiaries from the ashab al-furud beneficiaries namely the daughter, the daughter to the son, the female sibling of the same parents and the female sibling of the same father.

[6]asabah ma’a al-ghayr beneficiaries consist of only two types of people namely female siblings from the same parents and female siblings of the same father when receiving the inheritance together with a daughter or a daughter to a son or with both

[7] Al-quran 4:11

Prevention of terrorism act in Srilanka... (Whip against democracy)

Parliament Of The Democratic Socialist Republic Of Sri Lanka

Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979

[Certified on 20 July 1979]

AN ACT TO MAKE TEMPORARY PROVISION FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACTS OF TERRORISM IN SRI LANKA, THE PREVENTION OF UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES OF ANY INDIVIDUAL, GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, ASSOCIATION, ORGANISATION OR BODY OF PERSONS WITHIN SRI LANKA OR OUTSIDE SRI LANKA AND FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO.

WHEREAS the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka continues to affirm that men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for the Rule of Law and that grievances should be redressed by constitutional methods:

AND WHEREAS public order in Sri Lanka continues to be endangered by elements or groups of persons or associations that advocate the use of force or the commission of crime as a means of, or as an aid in, accomplishing governmental change within Sri Lanka, and who have resorted to acts of murder and threats of murder of members of Parliament and of local authorities, police officers, and witnesses to such acts and other law abiding and innocent citizens, as well as the commission of other acts of terrorism such as armed robbery, damage to State property and other acts involving actual or threatened coercion, intimidation and violence:

AND WHEREAS other democratic counties have enacted special legislation to deal with acts of terrorism:

BE it enacted by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as follows:-

1. This Act may be cited as the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No 48 of 1979, and shall come into operation in respect of all or any of its provisions on such date or dates as the Minister may appoint by Order published in the Gazette.

PART I - OFFENCES

2. (1) Any person who -

(a) causes the death of any specified person, or kidnaps or abducts a specified person, or commits any other attack upon any such person, which act would, under the provisions of the Penal Code, be punishable with death or a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years; or

(b) causes the death of any person who is a witness to any offence under this Act, or kidnaps or abducts or commits any other attack upon any such person, which act would, under the provisions of the Penal Code, be punishable with death or a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years;or

(c) commits criminal intimidation of any special person or a witness referred to in paragraph (b); or

(d) commits the offence of robbery of the property of the Government, any department, statutory board, public corporation, bank, co-operative union or co-operative society; or

(e) commits the offence of mischief to the property of the Government, any department, statutory board, public corporation, bank, cooperative union or co-operative society or to any other public property; or

(f) without lawful authority imports, manufactures or collects any firearms, offensive weapons, ammunition or explosives or any article or thing used, or intended to be used, in the manufacture of explosives; or

(g) possesses without lawful authority, within any security area, any firearms or any offensive weapon, ammunition or explosives or any article or thing used, or intended to be used, in the manufacture of explosives; or

(h) by words either spoken or intended to be read or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise causes or intends to cause commission of acts of violence or religious, racial or communal disharmony or feelings of ill-will or hostility between different communities or racial or religious groups; or

(i) without lawful authority erases, mutilates, defaces or otherwise interferes with any words, inscriptions, or lettering appearing on any board or other fixture on, upon or adjacent to, any highway, street, road or any other public place; or

(j) harbours, conceals or in any other manner prevents, hinders or interferes with the apprehension of, a proclaimed person or any other person, knowing or having reason to believe that such person has committed an offence under this Act, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.

(2) Any person guilty of an offence specified in -

(i) paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for life, and

(ii) paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) or (j) of subsection (1) shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment of either description for a period not less than five years but not exceeding twenty years.

(3) In this section -

(i) "proclaimed person" means any person proclaimed by the Inspector-General of Police by Proclamation published in the Gazette to be a person wanted in connection with the commission of any offence under this Act; and

(ii) "security area" means any area declared by the Minister by Order published in the Gazette to be a security area if he is satisfied that by reason of any unlawful activity there is in such area a reasonable apprehension of organised violence.

3. Any person who -

(a) does any act preparatory to the commission of an offence; or

(b) abets, conspires, attempts, exhorts or incites the commission of an offence; or

(c) causes the death of any person, or commits any attack upon any person whomsoever in the course of committing any offence under this Act, which act would, under the provisions of the Penal Code, be punishable with death or with a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment of either description for a period of not less than five years but not exceeding twenty years where the offence is one specified in paragraph (a) or (b), or to imprisonment for life where the offence is one specified in paragraph (c).

4. Where any person is convicted by any court of any offence under section 2 or section 3, then, in addition to any other penalty that the court shall impose for such offence -

(a) all property movable and immovable, of that person shall, by virtue of such conviction, be deemed to be forfeited to the Republic; and

(b) any alienation or other disposal of such property effected by such person after the date of coming into operation of this Part shall be deemed to have been, and to be, null and void.

5. Any person who -

(a) knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that any person -

(i) has committed an offence under this Act, or

(ii) is making preparation or is attempting to commit an offence under this Act, fails to report the same to a police officer; or

(b) having in his possession any information relating to the movements or whereabouts of any person who has committed or is making preparations or is attempting to commit an offence under this Act fails to report the same to a police officer, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction be liable to imprisonment of either description for period not exceeding seven years.

PART II - INVESTIGATION OF OFFENCES

6.(1) Any police officer not below the rank of Superintendent or any other police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector authorised in writing by him in that behalf may, without a warrant and with or without assistance and notwithstanding anything in any other law to the contrary -

(a) arrest any person;

(b) enter and search any premises;

(c) stop and search any individual or any vehicle, vessel, train or aircraft; and

(d) seize any document or thing, connected with or concerned in or reasonably suspected of being connected with or concerned in any unlawful activity.

(2) Any person who obstructs or hinders any police officer lawfully exercising any power conferred on him by or under subsection (1), shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment of either description or a period not exceeding seven years.

7.(1) Any person arrested under subsection(1) of section 6 may be kept in custody for a period not exceeding seventy-two hours and shall, unless a detention order under section 9 has been made in respect of such person, be produced before a Magistrate before the expiry of such period and the Magistrate shall, on an application made in writing in that behalf by a police officer not below the rank of Superintendent, make order that such person be remanded until the conclusion of the trial of such person: Provided that, where the Attorney-General consents to the release of such person before custody before the conclusion of the trial, the Magistrate shall release such person from custody.

(2) Where any person connected with or concerned in or reasonably suspected to be connected with or concerned in the commission of any offence under this Act appears or is produced before any court other than in the manner referred to in subsection (1), such court shall order the remand of such person until the conclusion of the trial: Provided that, if an application is made under the hand of a police officer not below the rank of Superintendent to keep such person in police custody for a period not exceeding seventy-two hours, the Magistrate shall authorise such custody and thereupon the order of remand made by the Magistrate shall remain suspended for the period during which such person is in police custody.

(3) A police officer conducting an investigation under this Act in respect of any person arrested under subsection (1) of section 6 or remanded under subsection (1) or subsection (2) of this section -

(a) shall have the right of access to such person and the right to take such person during reasonable hours to any place for the purpose of interrogation and from place to place for the purposes of investigation; and

(b) may obtain a specimen of the handwriting of such person and do all such acts as may reasonably be necessary for fingerprinting or otherwise identifying such person.

8. Any police officer may at any stage of an investigation or trial produce before any Magistrate any person conversant with any fact relating to the commission of any offence under this Act, and the Magistrate shall thereupon record the statement of such person upon oath.

PART III - DETENTION AND RESTRICTION ORDERS

9.(1) Where the Minister has reason to believe or suspect that any person is connected with or concerned in any unlawful activity, the Minister may order that such person be detained for a period not exceeding three months in the first instance, in such place and subject to such conditions as may be determined by the Minister, and any such order may be extended from time to time for a period not exceeding three months at a time: Provided, however, that the aggregate period of such detention shall not exceed a period of eighteen months.

(a) At any time after an order has been made in respect of any person under subsection (1), the Minister may direct that the operation of such order be suspended and may make an order under subsection (1) of section 11.

(b) The Minister may revoke any such direction if he is satisfied that the person in respect of whom the direction was made has failed to observe any condition imposed or that the operation of the order can no longer remain suspended without detriment to public safety.

10. An order made under section 9 shall be final and shall not be called in question in any court or tribunal by way of writ or otherwise

11.(1) Where the Minister has reason to believe or suspect that any person is connected with or concerned in the commission of any unlawful activity referred to in subsection (1) of section 9, he may make an order in writing imposing on such person such prohibitions or restrictions as may be specified in such order in respect of -

(a) his movement outside such place of residence as may be specified; or

(b) the places of residence and of employment of such person; or

(c) his travel within or outside Sri Lanka; or

(d) his activities whether in relation to any organisation, association or body of persons of which such person is a member, or otherwise; or

(e) such person addressing public meetings or from holding office in, or taking part in the activities of or acting as adviser to, any organisation, association or body of persons, or from taking part in any political activities, and he may require such person to notify his movements to such authority, in such manner and at such times as may be specified in the order.

(2) Where the Minister makes a restriction order in respect of any person while an order of detention in respect of such person is in force, such restriction order shall, unless otherwise specified, take effect upon the expiry of the detention order.

(3) Every order made under subsection (1) shall be in force for such period, not exceeding three months, as may be specified therein: Provided, that the Minister may, by order in writing, extend such period from time to time for periods not exceeding three months at a time so however that the aggregate of such periods does not exceed eighteen months.

(4) Where an order is made under subsection (1), the Minister may by notice in writing served on the person to whom such order relates, vary, cancel or add to any prohibitions or restrictions imposed by such order on such person and the prohibitions or restrictions so varied or added to shall, unless earlier cancelled, continue in force for the unexpired portion of the period specified in such order or the period as extended under subsection (3).

(5) An order made by the Minister under subsection (1) shall be final and shall not be called in question in any court or tribunal by way of writ or otherwise.

12. Any person who contravenes or acts in breach of any prohibition or restriction imposed on him by an order under section 11 shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a term of imprisonment of either description for a period of five years.

PART IV - ADVISORY BOARD

13.(1) There shall, for the purposes of this Act, be established an Advisory Board consisting of not less than three persons appointed by the President.

(2) Any person in respect of whom any detention order or restriction order has been made shall be informed of the unlawful activity in connection with which such order has been made and such person or any other person on his behalf may make representations to the Advisory Board.

(3) Every meeting of the Advisory Board held to consider such representations shall be presided over by a Chairman nominated from among the members by the Minister and it shall be the duty of the Chairman to advise the Minister in respect of such representations.

(4) The Minister may make rules in relation to the hearing and disposal of any representations that may be made by any person in respect of any such order.

PART V - PROHIBITION OF PUBLICATIONS

14.(1) Notwithstanding any Order made under section 1, the provisions of subsection (2) shall come into operation only upon an Order made in that behalf by the Minister from time to time and published in the Gazette for such period as may be specified in the Order.

(2)

(a) No person shall, without the approval in writing of a competent authority, print or publish in any newspaper any matter relating to -

(i) the commission of any act which constitute an offence under this Act or the investigation of any such offence; or

(ii) incitement to violence, or which is likely to cause religious, racial or communal disharmony or feeling of ill-will or hostility between different communities or racial or religious groups.

(b) No person shall, without the approval in writing of a competent authority, distribute or be concerned in the distribution of any newspaper printed or published in Sri Lanka or outside Sri Lanka in respect of any matter the printing and publication of which is prohibited under paragraph (a).

(3) Any person who commits any act in contravention of any of the provisions of subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment of either description for a period not exceeding five years.

(4)

(a) Where any person is convicted of an offence under this section, the court may, in addition to the punishment it may impose for that offence under subsection (3), order that no person shall print, publish or distribute or in any way be concerned in the printing, publication or distribution of any such newspaper for such period as is specified in such order and that the printing press in which such newspaper was printed shall, for such period as shall be specified in such order, not be used for any purpose whatsoever or for any such purpose as is specified in the order.

(b) Where any proceedings have been instituted against any person for the commission of any offence under this section, it shall be competent for the court to make an interim order that the printing press in which it is alleged that such newspaper or publication was printed shall not be used for any purpose whatsoever or for any such purpose as is specified in the order, until the conclusion of the trial.

15. (1) Every person who commits an offence under this Act shall be triable without a preliminary inquiry, on an indictment before a Judge of the High Court sitting alone without a jury or before a High Court at Bar by three Judges without a jury, as may be decided by the Chief Justice. The provisions of sections 450 and 451 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979, shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the trial of offences under this Act by the High Court at Bar and to appeals from judgements, sentences and orders pronounced at any such trial held by the High Court at Bar. [The above sub-section was introduced by Amending Act 22 of 1988]

(2) Upon the indictment being received in the High Court against any person in respect of any offence under this Act or any offence to which the provisions of section 23 shall apply, the court shall, in every case, order the remand of such person until the conclusion of the trial.

15A.(1) Where any person is on remand under the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 15, or section 19(a), notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or any other law, the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister in charge of the subject of Defence may, if he is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, in the interests of national security or public order, make Order, subject to such directions as may be given by the High Court to ensure a fair trial of such person, that such person be kept in the custody of any authority, in such place and subject to such conditions as may be determined by him having regard to such interests.

(2) Any Order made by the Minister under sub-section (1) shall be communicated to the High Court and to the Commissioner of Prisons and it shall be the duty of such Commissioner, to deliver the custody of such person to the authority specified in such order and the provisions of the Prisons Ordinance shall cease to apply in relation to the custody of such person. [Note: Section 15A was inserted by Amending Act 10 of 1982 w.e.f. 24 July 1979]

PART VI - TRIAL

16.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, where any person is charged with any offence under this Act, any statement made by such person at any time, whether -

(a) it amounts to a confession or not;

(b) made orally or reduced to writing;

(c) such person was or was not in custody or presence of a police officer;

(d) made in the course of an investigation or not;

(e) it was or was not wholly or partly in answer to any question, gainst such person if such statement is not irrelevant under section 24 of the Evidence Ordinance: Provided, however, that no such statement shall be proved as against such person if such statement was made to a police officer below the rank of an Assistant Superintendent.

(2) The burden of proving that any statement referred to in subsection (1) is irrelevant under section 24 of the Evidence Ordinance shall be on the person asserting it to be irrelevant.

(3) Any statement admissible under subsection (1) may be proved as against any other person charged jointly with the person making the statement, if, and only if, such statement is corroborated in material particulars by evidence other than the statements referred to in subsection (1).

17. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other law, the provisions of sections 25, 26 and 30 of the Evidence Ordinance shall have no application in any proceedings under this Act.

18.(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other law -

(a) a statement recorded by a Magistrate, or made at an identification parade by a person who is dead or who cannot be found, shall be admissible in evidence notwithstanding that such person is not present or cannot or has not been cross-examined; and

(b) any document found in the custody, control or possession of a person accused of any offence under this Act or of an agent or representative of such person may be produced in court as evidence against such person without the maker of such document being called as a witness and the contents of such document shall be evidence of the facts stated therein.

(2) If in the course of a trial for an offence under this Act, any witness shall, on any material point, contradict either expressly or by necessary implication a statement made by him and recorded by a Magistrate or a statement made by him at any identification parade, it shall be lawful for the presiding Judge-

(a) to act upon such statement; and

(b) to have such witness at the conclusion of such trial arraigned and tried on an indictment which shall be prepared and signed by the Registrar of such court, for intentionally giving false evidence in a stage of a judicial proceeding.

(3) At any trial referred to in subsection (2)(b), it shall be sufficient to prove that the witness made the contradictory statement and it shall not be necessary to prove which of the statements is false.

19. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law -

(a) every person convicted by any court of any offence under this Act shall, notwithstanding that he has lodged a petition of appeal against his conviction or the sentence imposed on him, be kept on remand until the determination of the appeal;

(b) any order made under the provisions of subsection (4) of section 14 shall, notwithstanding any appeal made against such order, continue in force until the determination of such appeal: Provided, however, that the Court of Appeal may in exceptional circumstances release on bail any such person referred to in paragraph (a) subject to such conditions as the Court of Appeal may deem fit, or vary or suspend any order referred to in paragraph (b).

20. Notwithstanding anything in the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No 15 of 1979 -

(a) the provisions of section 303 of that Act shall not apply in the case of any person who is convicted;

(b) the provisions of section 306 of that Act shall not apply in the case of any person who pleads or is found guilty, by or before any court of any offence under this Act.

21. Every court shall give priority to the trial of any person charged with, or indicted for, any offence under this Act and to the hearing of any appeal from the conviction of any such offence and sentence imposed on such conviction.

PART VII - SPECIAL PROVISIONS

22. Any person who has committed any offence under section 296 or section 297 or section 300 of the Penal Code prior to the date of coming into operation of Part VI of this Act or has abetted or has conspired to abet the commission of any such offence prior to such date, in relation to any person who is a specified person or a person who was a witness to any offence which if such offence had been committed after the date of coming into operation of Part I of this Act would have constituted an offence under this Act shall, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, be triable without a preliminary inquiry, on an indictment before a Judge of the High Court sitting alone without a jury.

23. The provision of sections 8, 16, 17 and 18 of this Act shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to and in relation to any act, or the trial for the commission of an offence in respect of any act, committed before the date of coming into operation of Parts I, II and VI of this Act, which act would, if committed after such date, have constituted an offence under this Act: Provided, however, that no statement referred to in any such section shall be admissible unless such statement was made after the coming into operation of the aforesaid Parts of this Act.

24. Any person who commits an act in or in relation to any vessel or aircraft registered in Sri Lanka shall, if such act constitutes an offence under this Act, be guilty of an offence under this Act.

PART VIII - MISCELLANEOUS

25. Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body of persons, then if that body of persons is -

(a) a body corporate, every director and officer of that body corporate; or

(b) a firm, every partner of that firm; or

(c) a body unincorporate other than a firm, every officer of that body responsible for its management and control, shall be deemed to be guilty of such offence: Provided that no such person shall be deemed to be guilty of such offence if he proves that such offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

26. No suit, prosecution or other proceeding, civil or criminal, shall lie against any officer or person for any act or thing in good faith done or purported to be done in pursuance or supposed pursuance of any order made or direction given under this Act.

27.(1) The Minister may make regulations under this Act for the purpose of carrying out or giving effect to the principles and provisions of this Act.

(2) Every regulation made by the Minister shall be published in the Gazette and shall come into operation on the date of such publication or on such later date as may be specified in the regulation.

(3) Every regulation made by the Minister shall as soon as convenient after its publication in the Gazette be brought before Parliament for its approval. Any regulation which is not so approved shall be deemed to be rescinded as from the date of disapproval but without prejudice to anything previously done thereunder. Notification of the date on which a regulation is deemed to be rescinded shall be published in the Gazette

28. The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any other written law and accordingly in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Act and such other written law, the provisions of this Act shall prevail.

[Section 29 was repealed by Amending Act 10 of 1982, w.e.f. 24 July 1979]

30. The Proscribing of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and Other Similar Organisations Law, No 16 of 1978, is hereby repealed.

PART IX - INTERPRETATION

31.(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -

"competent authority" means any person appointed by the Minister by name or by office to be a competent authority for the purposes of this Act;

"co-operative union or co-operative society" includes any society registered or deemed to be registered under the Co-operative Societies Law, No 5 of 1972;

"document" has the same meaning as in the Penal Code;

"explosives" has the same meaning as in the Explosives Act;

"firearms" has the same meaning as in the Firearms Ordinance;

"local authority" means any Municipal Council, Urban Council, Town Council or Village Council and includes any Authority created and established by or under any law to exercise, perform and discharge powers, duties and functions corresponding to or similar to the powers, duties and functions exercised, performed and discharged by any such Council;

"newspaper" includes any journal, magazine, pamphlet or other publication; "offensive weapon" has the same meaning as in the Offensive Weapons Act, No 18 of 1966;

"organisation" includes any movement, society, party, association or body or group of persons;

"printing press" includes any machinery, apparatus or plant capable of being used for printing, lithography, photography or other mode of representing or reproducing words in a visible form, or any type or other article belonging to such machinery, apparatus or plant;

"public corporation" means any corporation, board or other body which was or is established by or under any written law other than the Companies Ordinance, with funds or capital wholly or partly provided by the Government by way of grant, loan or otherwise;

"specified person" means -

(a) the President;

(b) a Judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court, Magistrate's Court, Primary Court or any other Court of First Instance;

(c) any representative or official of a foreign State or any official or other agent of an international organisation of an inter-governmental character;

(d) a member of Parliament or of a local authority;

(e) any member of a commission established under the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Law, No 7 of 1978, or under the Commissions of Inquiry Act;

(f) juror, counsel or officer of court; and

(g) any member of the Armed Forces, Police Force and any other Forces charged with the maintenance of public order.

"unlawful activity" means any action taken or act committed by any means whatsoever, whether within or outside Sri Lanka, and whether such action was taken or act was committed before or after the date of coming into operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act in the commission or in connection with the commission of any offence under this Act or any act committed prior to the date of passing of this Act, which act would, if committed after such date, constitute an offence under this Act.

[This definition was inserted by Amending Act 10 of 1982, w.e.f. 24 July 1979]

(2) All words and expressions used herein and defined in the Penal Code and not hereinbefore defined shall be deemed to have the meanings respectively attributed to them by that Code.

அரசியலமைப்புச்சட்டத்தில் ஆட்சியும் அதிகாரமும். (1978ம் ஆண்டின் அரசியலமைப்புச்சட்டத்தை முன்னிறுத்தி சில குறிப்புக்கள்)

தேசங்கள் தோற்றம் பெற்ற காலம் தொட்டே விதிமுறைகளின் தொகுப்பே ஆட்சியும் அதிகாரமுமாய் இருந்து வந்துள்ளது, இவ்விதிமுறைகளின் கோட்பாட்டு ரீதியான தொகுப்பையே சட்டம் எனக்காண்கின்றோம். சட்டத்தின் உருவாக்கம் மற்றும் அமுலாக்கம் என்பவற்றை பேணுவதற்கான அமைப்பு முறையே ஆட்சி மற்றும் அதிகாரம் கொண்ட அரசு. அரிஸ்டோட்டில் தொடக்கம் டய்சி வரைக்கும் சட்டத்தின் ஆட்சி பற்றி பல்வேறு கருத்தாக்கங்கள் உருப்பெற்றுள்ளன இவ்வாறான சட்டவாட்சி கருத்தாக்கங்களை நடைமுறைப்படுத்தவும், சட்டத்தினால் மக்கள் ஆளப்படுதனை உறுதிப்படுத்தவும் சட்டத்தpனால் மக்கள் எவ்வாறு ஆளப்படவேண்டும் என்பதை வரையறுக்கவும் உருவாக்கப்படும் அடிப்படைச்சட்ட முறையே அரசியலமைப்பாகும். இதை இன்னுமொரு வார்த்தையில் சொல்லப்போனால் சட்டங்களை உருவாக்குவதற்கும் அமுலாக்குவதற்குமான தாய்ச்சட்டம் எனக்கூறலாம். 

சட்டவாட்சி மற்றும் அன்றி சட்டவாட்சியை உறுதிப்படுத்துவதற்கான வலுவேறாக்க கோட்பாடுகளையும் மக்களது இறைமையையும் உறுதிப்படுத்துவற்கான ஓர் ஏற்பாடே அரசியலைப்புச்சட்டம் எனலாம் இவ்வாறு சட்டத்தின் முன் சமத்துவத்தை பேணுவதற்குரிய ஏற்பாடான அரசியலமைப்புச்சட்டம் வெறுமனே ஆட்சிக்கான அதிகாரங்கள் குவிந்த பொதியாக நோக்கப்படுவதே தற்கால நிலையாகும். ஆட்சிசெய்வதற்காய் அதிகாரம் வழங்கும் அரசியலமைப்புக்களும், அதிகாரம் செய்வதற்காகவே ஆட்சியை வழங்கும் அரசியலமைப்புக்களும் காலம் காலமாய் உலகவரலாற்றில் இடம்பிடித்துக்காணப்படுகிறது. இதே நோக்கில் இலங்கையின் இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்பு எந்த வகையைச்சேர்ந்தது என்பதை ஆராய்வதே இக்கட்டுரையின் நோக்கமாகும்.

1978ம் ஆண்டின் இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்பின் பின் புலத்தை நோக்குமிடத்து இந்த யாப்பு உருவாக்கப்படும் போது ஆட்சியிலிருந்த ஜக்கிய தேசிய கட்சி, தேசிய அரசுப்பேரவையின் 5/6 பெரும்பாண்மையை கொண்டிருந்தது இவ்வாறு ஓர் பலம் பெருந்திய அரசு இலங்கையின் முதலாவது குடியரசு யாப்பிலிருந்த தவறுகள் காரணமாக தனது பிரதான அரசியல் எதிராளியான சிறிலங்கா சுதந்திரக்கட்சி அடைந்த தோல்விகளை கருத்திற்கொண்டு தனக்கு அவ்வாறானதொரு நிலை ஏற்பட்டு விடக்கூடாது என்ற கரிசனையுடன் தனது ஆட்சியை மேலும் பலப்படுத்திக்கொள்வதற்காக உருவாக்கிய ஓர் அரசியலமைப்புச்சட்டமே இலங்கையின் இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்பாகும். 

இவ் யாப்பு உருவாக்கப்பட்ட பிண்ணனியிலிருந்து நாம் விளக்கிக்கொள்ளக்கூடிய உன்மை யாதெனில் ஓர் அரசியலமைப்பை எந்த தடையகளுமின்றி சுயமான பெரும்பாண்மையுடன் உருவாக்ககூடிய ஓர் சூழ்நிலையில் ஓர் பலமான அரசை உருவாக்குவதற்காய் அதிகாரச்செறிவுடன் ஆக்கப்பட்ட ஓர் அரசியலமைப்பாகும்.

இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்பின் முன்னுரையை சற்று கூர்ந்து கவனிப்போயமானால் அதில் தெளிவாக சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ள விடயம் யாதெனில் இலங்கை மக்கள் சுதந்திரமாக வழங்கிய ஆணையினால் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட பாராளுமன்ற பிரதிநிதிகளிடம் புதியதொரு குடியரசு யாப்பினை உருவாக்குவதற்கான தத்துவம் வழங்கப்பட்டிருக்கின்றது, அத்தகைய ஆணையை பயன்படுத்தி மக்கள் பிரதிநிதிகளான நாங்கள் இலங்கை ஜனநாயக சோஷலிச குடியரசின் அதியுயர்ந்த சட்டமாக இந்த யாப்பை வரைகிறோம். இவ்விரு வாக்கியங்களையும் நோக்கும் போது மக்களிடமிருந்த அதிகாரம் சுதந்திரமான முறையில் பிரதிநிதிகளிடம் கையளிக்கபட்டு அப்பிரதிநிதிகள் அவ்வதிகாரத்தை பிரயோகிக்கும் முகமாக வரையப்பட்ட யாப்பே இரண்டவது குடியரசு யாப்பு ஆகும். ஆகவே அதிகாரம் அதன் பிரயோகம்  அகியனவே இம்முன்னுரையில் முதன்மைப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளன.

இதேவேளை உலகின் சிறந்த குடியரசு யாப்புக்களாக கருதப்படும் தென் ஆபிரிக்க மற்றும் அமெரிக்க யாப்புக்களின் முன்னுரையை எடுத்து நோக்குவோமானால் 1996ம் ஆண்டில் வரையப்பட்ட தென்ஆபிரிக்க அரசியலமைப்பின் முன்னுரையில் “ தென்ஆபிரிக்க மக்களாகிய நாங்கள் கடந்து போன அநீதிகளை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டு, நீதிக்காகவும் சுதந்திரத்திற்காகவும் போரடியவர்களை கௌரவித்து, நாட்டை கட்டியெழுப்ப உழைத்தவர்களை மதித்து, தென்ஆபிரிக்கா அதில் வசிக்கும் அனைத்துப்பல்வகைமையான மக்களுக்கும் சொந்தம் என்று நம்பி, எங்கள் பிரதிநிதிகளினூடாக இந்த யாப்பினை அதியுயர் சட்டமாக ஏற்றுக்கொள்கிறோம் ” எனக்குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதிலிருந்து தென் ஆபிரிக்க யாப்பு மக்களால் மக்களுக்காவே உருவாக்கப்பட்டு ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளப்பட்ட ஓர் யாப்பு என்பது தெளிவாகின்றது. தென் ஆபிரிக்க யாப்பு மட்டுமன்றி அமெரிக்க யாப்பின் முன்னுரையை எடுத்து நோக்குவோமானால் “ ஜக்கிய அமெரிக்க குடியரசின் மக்களாகிய நாங்கள் இன்னும் பூரணமானதும் சிறந்ததுமான ஒன்றியத்தை அமைப்பதற்கும், நீதியையும் உள்நாட்டு அமைதியையும் நிலைநாட்டுவதற்கும், பொதுவான பாதுகாப்பினை உறுதிப்படுத்துவதற்கும், தேசிய நலனையும் சுதந்திரத்தையும் பாதுகாப்பதற்கும் உருவாக்கும் அரசியலமைப்பு இதுவாகும் ” எனக்குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

மேற்குறிப்பிடப்பட்ட மூண்று யாப்புக்களின் முன்னுரையை ஒப்பிட்டு நோக்குமிடத்து இலங்கையின் இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்பினை தவிர ஏனைய தென்ஆபிரிக்க மற்றும் அமெரிக்க யாப்புக்கள் மக்களால் நேரடியாக உருவாக்கபட்டுள்ளதாக குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ள அதேவேளை அதிகாரம் தொடர்பாக எந்த வாசகமும் இடம்பெறவில்லை ஆனால் இலங்கையின் இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்பினை பொறுத்தவரை அதன் அடித்தளமே அதிகாரமெனும் பதத்தினால் உருவாக்கபட்டிருப்பதை அறிந்துகொள்ள முடிகிறது. 

இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்பின் முன்னுரையை தாண்டி அத்தியாயங்களுக்குள் நுழைவோமானால் முதவாவது அத்தியாயயத்தின் 4வது உறுப்புரை, மக்களது இறைமையை அரச துறைகளுக்குள் எவ்வாறு கூறுபோடுவது என்பதை தெளிவாக வரையறுக்கின்றது. உன்மையில் இறைமை என்னும் பதம் இன்னுமொரு அதிகாரத்தில் தங்கியிருக்காதததும் உடண்படாததையும் குறிப்பதாகும் ஆனால் உறுப்புரை 4இனை வரைந்தவர்கள் மக்களது இறைமை என்னும் பரந்துபட்ட பதத்தினை வெறுமனே அதிகாரங்கள் எனக்கருதி அவ்வதிகாரங்களை எவ்வாறு அரச துறைகள் பிரயோகிக்கப்போகின்றன என்பதில் மட்;டும் கரிசனை காட்டியுள்ளனர்.

உறுப்புரை 4 ற்கமைய மக்களது சட்டவாக்க அதிகாரம் பாரளுமன்றத்தினால் பிரயோகிக்கப்படும், நிறைவேற்று அதிகாரம் மக்களால் தெரிவு செய்யப்பட்ட நிறைவேற்று ஜனாதிபதியினால் பிரயோகிக்கப்படும், நீதித்துறை அதிகாரம் நீதிமன்றங்களாலும், தீர்ப்பாயங்களாலும் ஏனைய சட்டத்தினால் உருவாக்கப்பட்ட நிறுவனங்களாலும் பிரயோகிக்கப்படும் எனக் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது இது மக்கள் இறைமையை அரச துறைகளுக்கிடையில் எவ்வாறு கூறுபோடப்படல் வேண்டும் என்பதை விடுத்து ஆட்சிக்காக அரச துறைகளுக்கு ஏன் அதிகாரம் வழங்கப்பட வேண்டும் அது எவ்வாறு பிரயோகிக்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்பதை தெளிவாக வரையறுத்துக் கூறவில்லை. 

இதே வேளை உறுப்புரை 4ற்கமைவாக மக்களது நிறைவேற்று அதிகாரத்தை பிரயோகிக்கும் உரித்து மக்களால் தெரிவு செய்யப்பட்ட நிறைவேற்று ஜனாதிபதிக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது, அவ்வாறு வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிறைவேற்று அதிகாரங்களின் விளைவாக அரசியலைமைப்புச்சட்டத்தின் அடிப்படைக்குறிக்கோளான சட்டவாட்சியை நிலைநாட்ட வேண்டிய பொறுப்பு உறுப்புரை 35 இனால் இல்லாதொழிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. உறுப்புரை 35 ன் பிரகாரம் ஜனாதிபதிக்கு எந்தவகையான நடவடிக்கையிலிருந்தும் முழுமையான குற்ற விலக்களிப்பை வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. 

சட்டவாட்சியின் அடிப்படைக்கோட்பாடான சட்டத்தின் முன் அனைவரும் சமம் என்பதை தகர்த்து ஜனாதிபதி என்ற தனிமனிதரை சட்டத்திற்கு மேலோங்கிய அதிகாரமிக்கவராய் ஆக்கியுள்ளது. இது அதிகாரம் என்னும் தனிப்பதம் அரசியலமைப்பின் ஆணிவேரான சட்டவாட்சியையே ஆட்டம் காணச்செய்துள்ளது என்பதற்கு இன்னுமோர் உதாரணமாகும். 

இக்கட்டுரையில் ஏற்கனவே விபரித்தது போல் இத்தகைய அரசியலமைப்பு ஏற்பாடுகள் ஆட்சிசெய்வதற்கான அரசியலமைப்பு என்பதிலிருந்து மாற்றமடைந்து அதிகாரம் செலுத்தவதற்கான ஆட்சியை வழங்கும் அரசியலமைப்பு என்னும் தோற்றப்பாடை தருவிக்கின்றன.

இவ்வாறான உறுப்புரைகளுக்கு மேலதிகமாய் கொண்டுவரப்பட்ட அரசியலமைப்புத்திருத்தங்களும் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் அதிகாரத்தேடலையே தூண்டி நிற்கின்றன இதற்கு உதாரணங்களாக 13வது மற்றும் 18வது அரசியலமைப்புத்திருத்தங்களை குறிப்பிடலாம்.

13வது அரசியலமைப்பு சீர்திருத்தத்தை பொறுத்தவரை மத்திய அரசிடம் காணப்பட்ட அபரிமிதமான அதிகாரங்களை மாகாண அரசுகளிடம் ஒப்படைத்து ஓர் பிராந்திய நிருவாகத்தை தோற்றுவிக்கும் ஓர் ஏற்பாடகும் இருந்த போதும் உறுப்புரை 154B ன் கீழ் உருவாக்கப்படும் ஆளுனர் என்னும் பதவிக்கான அதிகாரங்கள் மீண்டும் அதிகார மையப்படுத்தலை நோக்கியதான அரசியலமைப்பு வரைஞர்களின்; எண்ணங்களை பிரதிபலிக்கின்றது. இதற்கு உதாரணமாக உறுப்புரை 154H இனைக்குறிப்பிடலாம் 154H (1), (2) ற்கமைவாக மாகாணசபையால் உருவாக்கப்பட்ட சட்டமூலம் ஒன்றை ஆளுனரது ஓப்புதலுக்காக நியமிக்கப்படும் போது அத்தகைய சட்ட மூலத்தை ஓப்புதலளிக்கவே, திருத்தத்திற்காக மீண்டும் மாகாணசபைக்க திருப்பி அனுப்பவே ஆளுனருக்கு அதிகாரம் உண்டு . இவ்வாறு திருப்பி அனுப்பப்படும் சட்ட மூலம் மீண்டும் ஆளுனரிடமே ஒப்புதலுக்காக சமர்ப்பிக்கப்படல் வேண்டும். இத்தகைய ஓர் ஏற்பாடானது சட்டவாக்க அதிகாரங்களை மாகாணசபைகள் கொண்டிருந்தும் நிறைவேற்று அதிகாரம் கொண்ட ஓர் தனிமனிதரிடம் அவ்வதிகாரங்களை அடகுவைத்திருக்கும் ஓர் நிலைக்கு தள்ளியள்ளது. 

மேற்குறித்த உதாரணம் உட்பட பல்வேறு இடங்களில் அதிகாரங்கள் நிறுவனமயப்படுத்தப்படாமல் தனிநபர் ஒருவரிடமோ அல்லது நிறுவனத்திடமோ கையளிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பது இலங்கையின் இரண்டாவது குடியரசுயாப்பு அதிகார மையப்படுத்தல் சார்பான சித்தாந்தத்தை கொண்டிருப்பதை தெளிவுபடுத்துகின்றது 

இதே வேளை சுயாதீனமான அரச செயற்பாடுகளை உறுதிப்படுத்தும் முகமாக அரசியலமைப்பின் 17ம் திருத்தத்தின் மூலம் உருவாக்கப்பட்ட ஆணைக்குழுக்களுக்கு பதிலாக பாராளுமன்றக்குழு என்ற அமைப்பிடம் அனைத்துவகையான அரச நிருவாக அதிகாரங்களும் மீளக்கையளிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதனூடாக அரச இயந்திரத்தின் அதிகாரத்திற்கான தேடலும் அதற்கு உறுதுணையாக இரண்டாம் குடியரசுயாப்பின் உறுப்புரைகள் அமைந்துகாணப்படுவதையும் தெளிவாக அறிந்து கொள்ள முடிகிறது. 

தேசமொன்றின் நல்லாட்சியை உறுதிப்படுத்துவதற்கு உறுதியான அரசு மட்டுமன்றி அவ்வரசு தமது கடமைகளை நிறைவேற்றக்கூடிய அதிகார தத்துவங்களை கொண்டிருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதே நல்லாட்சிக்கான சித்தாந்தமாகும். இதே வேளை அரசின் அதிகாரங்கள் மக்கள் ஆணையூடாக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட பிரதிநிதிகளின் பங்களிப்புடன் உருவாக்கப்படுவதே குடியரசு அமைபின் வழிமுறையாகும். இத்தகைய வழிமுறைகளை பினபற்றியொழுக உருவாக்கப்படும் ஆவணமே அரசியலமைப்பு, இது தேசத்திற்கு தேசம் மாறுபடும் குணாதிசங்களை கொண்டுள்ளது. ஒவ்வொரு தேசத்தின் தன்மை, ஆளப்படும் மக்களின் பல்வகைமை என்பவற்றை அடிப்படையாக கொண்டு ஒவ்வொரு அரசியலமைப்பும் தனக்கேயான தனித்துவத்தை கொண்டுள்ளது ஆதலால் ஓர் அரசியலமைப்பு இவ்வாறுதான் காணப்படவேண்டும் என்று எந்தவித இறுக்கமான கோட்பாடுகளையும் உருவாக்குதல் கடினமானதாகும்.

ஆனாலும் காலம் காலமாய் சமூகவியலாளர்களாலும், அரசியல் தத்துவவியலாளர்களாலும் உருவாக்கப்பட்ட நல்லாட்சிக்கான சித்தாந்தங்களை ஒவ்வொரு அரசியலமைப்பும் கொண்டிருப்பது ஓர் அத்தியாவசியமான தேவைப்பாடாகும். அத்தகைய அரசியல் சிந்தாந்தங்களான சட்டவாட்சி, வலுவேறாக்கம், இறைமை என்பவற்றை உள்வாங்கிய அரசியலமைப்புகளையே சிறந்த அரசியல்யாப்புக்கள் எனக்கூறுகின்றோம் இதுவே அரசியலமைப்புத்துவமுமாகும்.

ஏற்கனவே குறிப்பிட்டது போன்று ஒவ்வொரு அரசியலமைப்பும் தத்தமது தேவைக்கேற்றாற்போல் அதிகார மையப்படுத்தல் கொள்கையையோ அல்லது அதிகாரபரவலாக்க கொள்கையையோ தன்னகத்தே கொண்டு காணப்படுகின்றது. எது எவ்வாறாயினும் ஓர் ஜனநாயக குடியரசின் அரசியலமைப்பானது மக்களால் வழங்கப்பட்ட அதிகாரங்களை மக்களது தேவைக்கேற்றவாறு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்தக்கூடிய ஏற்பாடுகளை கொண்டிருத்தல் வேண்டும்.

இதைத்தான் ஆட்சிசெய்வதற்கான அதிகாரமென்று இக்கட்டுரையின் ஆரம்பபகுதியில் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருந்தது. அதைவிடுத்து அதிகாரங்களை கையளித்து அதனாலான ஆட்சியை எதிர்பார்க்கும் அரசியலமைப்புச்சித்தாந்தமானது எவ்வாறு ஓர் ஜனநாயக குடியரசின் மக்கள் தேவையை பூர்த்திசெய்யும் என்பது கேள்விக்குரியதே.

இலங்கையின் இரண்டாவது ஜனநாயக சோஷலிச குடியரசு யாப்பினை பொறுத்தவரை அபரிமிதமான அதிகாரத்தேடலை தூண்டக்கூடிய ஏற்பாடுகள் காணப்படுவதனை இக்கட்டுரையில் ஏற்கனவே ஆரயப்பட்ட உதாரணங்களைக்கொண்டு விளங்கிக்கொள்ள முடியும். அதிகாரங்கள் நிறுவனமயப்படுத்தப்படாது ஏதோ ஓர் தனிநபரிடமே அல்லது  ஓர் தனி நிறுவகத்திடமே குவிந்து காணப்படுவது இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்பின் இயல்புகளில் ஒன்றாக காணப்படுகிறது. இது இலங்கையில் இன்னும் அரசியலமைப்புப்பரினாம வளர்ச்சி இடம்பெறவேண்டும் என்பதை வலியுறத்துகின்றது. கோல்புறூக் யாப்புத் தொடக்கம் இரண்டாவது குடியரசு யாப்புவரை முழுமையான அரசியலமைப்புத்துவத்தை பிரதிபலிக்கக்கூடிய யாப்புக்கள் இன்னும் உருவாக்கப்படவில்லை. ஆதலால் எதிர்காலத்தில் அதிகாரத்தை மையப்படுத்தாது நல்லாட்சியை மையப்படுத்தும் அரசியலமைப்புக்கள் உருவாக்கப்பட வேண்டும் இலங்கை ஜனநாயக சோஷலிச குடியரசின் தேவைப்பாடாகும்.