Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Sajith proposes 19+ emphasizing national security

9 September 2020 12:46 am - 2     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that while strongly opposing the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution his party would work towards 19+ with the strong emphasis on national security.

Speaking to Newspaper Editors and journalists at the Opposition Leader’s Office, he described the 20A as a “death blow” to democracy and emphasised the fact that the present trend in the world was towards decentralization and the consolidation of theseparation of powers among the different sectors of the government.

Mr. Premadasa said the 20A on the other hand would concentrate power in one person.

He said his party the Samagi Jana Balawegaya had appointed a committee headed by MP Rajitha Senaratne to gather various democratic forces in the country to defeat the 20A. He said while doing so they would also present an alternative in the form of 19+ that would identify certain weaknesses in the 19th Amendment with the national security aspect to ensure a sovereign and unitary country. Mr. Premadasa said they would propose to strengthen the independent institutions and provide the necessary human resources for their successful functioning.

When asked as to what proposals he suggested against the main criticism of the 19th Amendment which is that it leads to a conflict between the President and the Prime Minister as evidenced during the previous regime, Mr. Premadasa said provisions based on personalities and the targeting of individuals should be avoided. He said institutions should be strengthened based on policies and principles and not based on personalities.

MP Rajitha Senaratne said the 19th Amendment came about with the initiative taken by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera and that all MPs in the 2015 Parliament except for one voted in favour. He said that the 20th Amendment was taking the country backwards and is a return to the original J.R. Jayewardene constitution and that it would do away with the good features like the Audit Commission and the Procurement Commission. Dr. Senaratne said whatever problems with the 19th Amendment were not about policy but were technical issues that could be rectified.

SJB General Secretary, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the 20th Amendment would lead to the creation of a dictatorial military government.


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 2

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Lankan Wednesday, 09 September 2020 12:43 PM

    Remember, the West would do everything to keep the Sri Lankan talents in the West, it was very clear from their Facebook propaganda against the 20th amendment. The fools who graduated from the Facebook are doing the will of the West, but believing that they are doing good for themselves. No wonder why the Facebook has blocked me from commenting or posting for 30 days.

    Chux Wednesday, 09 September 2020 04:08 PM

    Excellent but Sri Lankan people do not understand the democracy


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H