20th amendment will benefit Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena

Colombo (News 1st) - Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Anura Kumara Dissanayake called on the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Sect Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero on Wednesday (Sept 19). The meeting took place to create awareness on the 20th amendment to the constitution. The JVP leader believes that the 20th amendment would be of benefit for both President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. According to Anura Kumara, the former president will once again be able to contest to lead the Government (become the executive PM) while President Sirisena could continue to hold office till another President is elected in accordance with the 20th amendment. The MP added that current PM Ranil Wickremesinghe stands to lose the most as the passage of the 20th amendment would shorten the tenure of the Government by 7 months. Addressing concerns raised that the JCP has brought forward this constitutional amendment based on the needs of the UNP, Anura Kumara noted that they have no issued to resolve with PM Wickremesinghe, remaining the public that individuals such as Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Wimal Weerawansa continue to remain at large due to bail granted through the PM's intervention. Commenting on the current situation of the Joint Opposition,  the leader of the JVP noted that there are two clear factions that have formed in the group, one which supports Mahinda Rajapaksa and the other which backs Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Kumara noted that Gotabaya would rise to power only in a situation where Mahinda is not capable of contesting. He noted that if the 20th amendment passes, Mahinda would be able to contest once again and because of this those who support Gotabaya are currently blocking the amendment.