KANDY –

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, calling on the Mahanayaka Theras of Malwatta and Asgiriya, said recently, that he appreciated the manner the government acted to eradicate the drug menace and the underworld, but did not agree with it on the 20th Amendment. 

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya called on the prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala and Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana respectively with a group of representatives of the National Movement for a Just Society to educate the prelates on the risks of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution drafted by the government.

Presenting copies of a report made by a committee appointed by the society to the Mahanayake Theras, Jayasuriya and said that the 20th Amendment would be harmful to the country as too much of power would be concentrated in the executive presidency.

“The administration of the country will be in the hand of a single person and the Parliament will be powerless . The Parliament will be like a post office.”    

Jayasuriya said the 20th Amendment was a threat to democracy.

Those supporting the 20th amendment were engaged in carrying out false propaganda against the 19th amendment, Jayasuriya claimed.                                                    

The proponents of the 20th Amendment claimed the failure to prevent the Easter attack was due to the 19th Amendment, Jayasuriya said, warning that the independent commissions would be scrapped under the 20th Amendment. However, there was a need for a new Constitution for the country, he said.

Professor Rohan Samarajeewa also told the prelates that the 20th Amendment was not necessary for Sri Lanka.

Secretary General of Asgiriya Chapter Venerable Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Nayaka Thera said that the people of the country had witnessed how the previous governments had brought in amendments to the Constitution and how they were tabled and passed people had seen how the leaders clashed due to disagreements among them as a result of the provisions of the Constitution. Therefore, a well-designed Constitution should be instituted for the country.

Ven. Urulewatte Dhammarakkitha Nayake Thera and Ven.Thalpotha Dhammajothi Nayake Thera, Sunil Jayasekera and Narendra Dissanayake were present.