19A has violated people’s rights

• Amid all obstacles and to the dismay of the previous government, 6.9 million of people elected Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the President

By Lahiru Pothmulla  

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution has violated the fundamental rights of the people, SLPP Leader and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.  

Addressing a forum of academics in Kandy, he said the yahapalana government introduced the 19A mainly to violate the fundamental rights of the Rajapaksas.  

“Though this was the main intention, it has also violated the rights of the people. Even amid all obstacles and to the dismay of the previous government, 6.9 million of people elected Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the President thus approving his programme for the country,” the Prime Minister said.  He requested the people to elect a parliament with a clear majority for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) so that a Cabinet which supports the President’s programme can be appointed.