Various views exchanged on 20th amendment

COLOMBO (News1st): Government and opposition lawmakers exchanged views on the draft 20th amendment that is awaiting a supreme court ruling. The National Freedom Front had written to the Prime Minister last week, expressing disappointment over the failure to include its suggestions as part of the proposed revisions to the amendment. "It is good for various political parties in the government to convey their stance," Education minister Professor G.L. Peiris on Monday said responding to journalists. However, the secretary of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, said the letter should not have been released to the media. "...we feel it would have been better for it to have been put forward during the party leaders meeting instead of releasing it to the mediam" Sagara Kariyawasam noted. Meanwhile, Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thero has criticized attempts to vest more power with the president through the proposed amendment. "The President's brother is the Prime Minister. Why do they need more power than this?" the thero queried. He insisted that he would vociferously oppose provisions that allow foreign entities to tamper with the country's resources, or bringing in amendments targetting individuals. Kabir Hashim, a lawmaker of opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya, blamed the government for financial mismanagement that is affecting the people. Hashim pointed out that the government had obtained loans worth Rs 1 trillion during the first three quarters of 2020 although the economic growth had struck a negative note. "If this money (loans) is not being used for the development of the people then for what is it being used?" Hashim questioned. The Moody's ratings agency had also downgraded Sri Lanka recently, a move critics say is a result of the lack of a proper financial policy of the government. "The main reason for this is the uncertainty in the future of the economy of Sri Lanka and the financial discipline of Sri Lanka," Chameera Perera, the convenor of the Voice of the Left movement said. He pointed out that the 20th amendment attempts at exempting state institutions from a state audit allowing illegal activities to take place.