STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ABOLISH THE 20TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

Whilst highlighting that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa mentioning that has limited expe0rience when it comes to governing was commendable, Former Prime Minister and UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said steps taken to abolish the20th Amendment to the constitution as the former has accepted that this particular piece of legislation has been a failure.

Mr. Wickremesinghe who made a special statement said the 19th Amendment should be re-introduced so that a system of governance which is based on a cabinet responsible to Parliament could be put in place instead.

“Newspapers today carry an important news item which says President Rajapaksa has mentioned that he lacks experience therefore the Prime Minister and the ministers should work together in running the government. This statement from the President is welcomed as he had mentioned that the 20th Amendment has been a failure. Therefore what has to be done now is to repeal the 20th Amendment and bring back 19 Amendment,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

“We lost a system of governance based on a cabinet which is responsible to Parliament and we lost the economy. Therefore I urge the government to have a dialogue with all parties representing the House and abolish the 20th Amendment. I thank President Rajapaksa for making a truthful statement,” he added.