Opposition, government lawmakers exchange views on 20th amendment

COLOMBO (News1st): Opposition and government lawmakers continued to exchange views on the draft 20th amendment that was tabled in parliament recently. Industries minister Wimal Weerawansa, on Thursday, said, the recommendations of the committee appointed to examine the 20th amendment will be presented to the parliamentary select committee. "He (the Prime Minister) will put forward the final recommendations when the matter is taken up before the parliamentary select committee," Weerawansa told reporters. Harin Fernando, an opposition lawmaker, lashed out at the 20th amendment, stating that public representatives will not be accountable to the people. "I pray for those who are willing to accept a leader who will not punish the wrongdoers, even after the intervention of the judiciary and police," he said. Fernando added he does not believe that the people expected such a change when they gave the ruling party a two-thirds majority. However, government parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila has said that the people require a law that would suit our country and not the government or opposition. "The government has done its part, and the draft amendment has been handed over to the legal draftsman," Udaya Gammanpila, the energy minister said. Opposition parliamentarian Gayantha Karunathilaka claimed that the ruling party is trying to enforce the 20th amendment to suppress all forces against the government. He pointed out that the government had allowed a death-row convict to enter parliament, by drawing the attention of the people towards a ban on cattle slaughter. "While the public's attention is focused on the 20th amendment, the price of food items are discreetly increased," Karunathilaka remarked.