The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) after a careful study has decided to support the proposed 20th Amendment to the
Constitution, Deputy Chairman of SLFP and Cabinet Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
The SLFP has presented its views to the President and the Prime Minister in this connection. A few weeks ago, SLFP General Secretary, State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara told the media that the SLFP has several reservations on the proposed Amendment. Later, the main coalition partner of the SLPP led government, the SLFP appointed a 10-member committee to review the 20th Amendment. The committee headed by Senior Deputy Chairman of the party, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva consisted of Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, Mahinda Amaraweera, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Shan Wijayalal De Silva, Duminda Dissanayake, Faizer Mustapha, Sarath Dushmantha Mithrapala, Sanajaya Gamage and Dr. Chamil Liyanage. “We have already conveyed our opinions and suggestions on the 20th Amendment to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa,” Minister Amaraweera said. He added, “As we have informed our stance to the top level, we are not willing to share our concerns with the media or any other party”. He said the SLFP is more focused on a new Constitution than the 20th Amendment. State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara opined a few weeks ago the possibility of vesting some powers with the former President Maithripala Sirisena following the successful adoption of the 20th Amendment.
“We did not talk about such things during this discussion,” Minister Amaraweera said.