Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake has acknowledged that the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution has caused a “small division” in society, while accusing the opposition of exaggerating concerns surrounding the legislation for political advantage.
Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the amendment, Rathnayake said the government was aware that differences had emerged over the proposals.
“We know there has been a small division because of this. We are not unaware of it. We have a calculation of how that division stands,” he said.
Rathnayake, however, argued that the opposition had “demonised” the amendment by creating fears over consequences that, according to him, were not contained in the legislation. He accused opposition politicians of taking those concerns to religious leaders and professional organisations in an effort to build public opposition.
The amendment has faced objections from opposition parties and professional organisations, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, which earlier challenged the Bill before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court subsequently determined that the 22nd Amendment does not require approval at a referendum, subject to specified changes, while Parliament scheduled a two-day debate on the Bill for Sept. 24 and 25.
Rathnayake said the government understood the opposition’s attempt to gain political mileage from the issue but rejected claims that the amendment represented a threat to the judiciary. (Newswire)