Thu, Jun 27, 2013, 08:19 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
June 27, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government would proceed with the proposed constitutional amendments regardless of the issues over the formation of the parliamentary select committee (PSC), a government minister said. Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the government would proceed with the proposed changes to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and would be implemented regardless of objections raised by various political parties over representations in the PSC.
He assured that the PSC to discuss the proposed constitutional amendments headed by him would commence sittings on July 9th.
According to Minister de Silva, all political parties in parliament have the option of making their representations and proposals to the PSC.
Meanwhile, the Minister Dullas Alahapperuma speaking to the state-run radio said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent party of the ruling alliance, is not against the 13th Amendment, devolution of power or incorporating Tamil people in mainstream politics.
Minister Alahapperuma, accusing the Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) of using the constitutional amendment to campaign against the government, said the SLFP parliamentary group should clearly realize this fact and act with an understanding.
He pointed out that the JVP was the major party which had protested against the provincial council system and the 13th Amendment when it was introduced in the late 80's and now campaigning against the amendments.