SLPP raises objections over 13th constitutional amendment

COLOMBO (News1st) : The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has said it would not bring back the 13th constitutional amendment, that saw power devolution among provinces. "If the 13th amendment is implemented fully, our country will be divided into nine portions," Udaya Gammanpila, a SLPP parliamentary election candidate said on Tuesday. He added that the amendment would see police powers being vested with provincial councils and warned it could lead to a war between the police unit in the North and the Army. "Our government will be looking forward to bring a new constitution considering all sides," Wimal Weerawansa, another SLPP candidate added. Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), refuted claims made by Gammanpila, that his father Ranasinghe Premadasa opposed the provincial council system. "It was my father who brought in-laws to establish the Provincial council system in the country," Premadasa said. He stressed that the provincial council system must be protected while also safeguarding the unitary nature of the country and its sovereignty. "I would like to remind Gammanpila that he entered into parliament via the provincial council system," the SJB leader remarked. Tharaka Nanayakkara, a SJB parliamentary election candidate, urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to announce whether he intends to abolish the 13th amendment. "...please come forward and make your intentions clear instead of sending your henchmen forward to do your work for you," Nanayakkara said.