Steps not taken to amend draft 20A: Ramesh Pathirana

COLOMBO (News1t): Joint Cabinet Spokespersons Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella and Ramesh Pathirana were grilled by journalists regarding the report prepared by the committee appointed by the Prime Minister to review the 20th amendment to the constitution. "We have not taken any steps to withdraw or amend this draft", Minister Ramesh Pathirana said Minister Keheliya Rambukwella went on to say that any changes to the amendment will be made during the committee stage in parliament. During the 1st cabinet meeting of the new government on the 19th of August, a cabinet sub-committee was appointed to draft the 20th amendment to the constitution. Ministers President's Counsel Ali Sabry, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Dinesh Gunawardena, Udaya Gammanpila and Professor G.L. Peiris were the members of that subcommittee. On the 2nd of September, a document titled 20th amendment to the constitution was presented to the Cabinet of Ministers, and it was subsequently published on the gazette. The 20th amendment drew criticisms from both members of the Cabinet and the governing party afterwards. In the face of these criticisms, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a committee to review the draft 20th amendment to the constitution. The committee chaired by Prof. G.L. Peiris and included Udaya Gammanpila, President's Counsel Ali Sabry, Nimal Siripala De Silva, WImal Weerawansa, Susil Premajayantha, S. Viyalendran, Dilan Perera and Premanath C. Dolewatta. This committee handed over its report to the prime minister on the 15th of this month.