Proposed 20th Amendment SJB plans countrywide protest

By Yohan Perera   

While the main opposition SJB has planned to put up black flags around the country in protest against the proposed 20th Amendment to the constitution on October 5th, while few political parties and civil society movements yesterday urged the government to bring in a whole new constitution instead.   

Head of the SJB led ‘Movement for Beyond 19A’ MP Rajitha Senaratne told a press conference that his movement had planned to hoist black flags and hold island-wide protests against the 20th Amendment.   

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said his party will organise a mass rally at Hyde Park on October 8 bringing in its supporters across the country. He said his party will also launch leaflet distribution campaigns across the country.  

Chief Organiser of the press conference, Head of National Movement for Social Justice Karu Jayasuriya said, bringing in a new constitution is a better choice than going along with the 20th Amendment. Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and All Ceylon Tamil Congress MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam also participated in the press conference.