Govt. will abolish 19th amendment : G.L. Peiris

COLOMBO (News1st): The government will abolish the 19th amendment as it has "damaged the country", a government minister said on Saturday. Education minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the amendment had curbed the powers of the President resulting in a negative impact to national security. "The people have paid the price for that," Peiris said. The minister insisted that the President must be in charge of security although the amendment does not allow the President to hold a ministerial portfolio. He recalled that the terrorist attacks on April 21 last year had taken place due to the lack of security, and that no one had taken responsibility for the incident. "That (the 19th amendment) is a damage to this country not only to development but also to the people's lives," the minister said. He accused certain members in the constitutional council and independent commissions -- that were set-up through the 19th amendment -- of not being independent. "I wish to say that the (election) commission has been made up of individuals who are highly politicized than us," Peiris claimed.