SJB to move court against draft 20A

COLOMBO (News1st): The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has said it would move court against the draft 20th amendment, citing it as the beginning of a dictatorship rule in the country. "The most dangerous feature of the 20th constitution is the abolition of the independent nature of the courts and high ranking positions," SJB parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said. He refuted claims that the provisions of the 20th amendment are required for a stable government, as it allows the President to dissolve Parliament in a year. "...when this amendment is brought to court, we will request the Supreme Court to provide us the required support to safeguard its independent nature," Kiriella noted. Dr Harsha de Silva, another SJB parliamentarian pointed out that, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister's Office cannot be audited under the proposed amendment. "Now it is the President who will appoint the Auditor General," de Silva pointed out. He questioned the policy of the parliamentarians who supported previous amendments and are preparing to support the proposed amendment.