A risk of financial powers of the Parliament being curtailed through 20A: The Audit Services Union raises red flags

Colombo | News 1st: Trade unions today informed the Mahanayake Theros of the danger of abolishing the audit commission through the 20th amendment to the constitution. Meanwhile, the government said that the people have approved a constitutional amendment. Speaking in parliament Minister Mahindananda ALuthgamage said that the people have approved this constitutional amendment by giving the SLPP a two-thirds majority in parliament. He also hinted at the possibility of MPs from the opposition crossing the floor and voting in favour of the 20th amendment. Samagi Janabalawegaya MP Nalin Bandara then questioned him as to why he voted in favour of the 19th amendment to the constitution. Minister Mahindananda ALuthgamage responded by saying that they only voted in favour of the 19th amendment under the condition that the Ranil-Maithri government would subsequently present the 20th amendment to the constitution. He also pointed out that the government at eh time failed to deliver on this promise. MP Nalin Bandara went on to note that parliament will completely lose its value after the passage of the 19th amendment to the constitution. He added that all the powers of the state will be consolidated in the hands of a single individual.