Political platform heated over 19th amendment

COLOMBO (News1st): Professor G.L. Peiris has refuted claims that abolishing the 19th constitutional amendment is a treacherous act. The education minister, on Sunday, said a myth is being spread stating that the proposed new amendment would affect people's rights and democracy. "We must not be afraid of power. A country can't be developed without power," Peiris said. However, Gevindu Kumaratunga, a government lawmaker questioned why special attention must be paid to the 19th amendment if the President's rule has been successful. He pointed out that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had successfully controlled the COVID-19 pandemic, and acted against the underworld, before the government received a two-thirds majority. "If the people have approved that, we don't have to worry about it," Kumaratunga said. Opposition lawmakers have criticized the government's moves to bring in a new amendment or to introduce a new constitution. "They are trying to create a rule of nepotism by abolishing independent commissions," Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya said.