‘PSC must declare deliberations on 13A before NPC polls’

The National Collective Against the Provincial Council System ( NCAPCS) yesterday urged the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to reveal their stance immediately regarding the proposed changes to the 13th Amendment by nationalist groups, before the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections.

The Collective during a joint press conference held yesterday in Colombo stated that it is high time that the PSC comes clean regarding the 13th Amendment and reveal their conclusions to the public without continuing any further delays.

Member of the National Sanga Council (NSC) Ven Dabagoda Sarananda Thera addressing the media said that if the PSC is unable to reveal their position regarding the changes suggested by the nationalist groups to the 13th Amendment, the PSC should dissolve. “The government promised to amend two clauses of the 13th Amendment. But either because of India or due to the influence of some other force, the government is now keeping its lips sealed, while leaving the whole matter to the PSC. But unfortunately, we have no faith in the PSC as it has no time frame or action plan. So unless the decision of the PSC is made known before the NPC polls, we will take every possible action against the 13th Amendment,” Sarananda Thera said.

We have no faith in the PSC as it has no time frame or action plan. So unless the decision of the PSC is made known before the NPC polls, we will take every possible action against the 13th Amendment

Meanwhile, controversial nationalist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) stalwart Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera who was also present at the press conference said that the government has been ignoring the statements and observations made by the prelates of the three chapters (and other nationalists groups) while dancing according to the tunes of foreign forces.

“Until now there have been enough campaigns against the 13th Amendment in our country. So we would like to ask the government whether the struggles we have done so far, is not sufficient for them to make their stance clear.