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| Sunday, 1 September 2002 |
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Constitution amendments on Sept. 11 : Opposition group still silent by Deepal Warnakulasuriya With the decision to present Amendments No.18 and 19 before Parliament on Sept. 11, the Opposition still remain silent. Cabinet Spokesman and Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris told the media last Friday that both the amendments will be presented before the House, and a Cabinet meeting before that will also take place to discuss the matter. The Minister explained that 19th amendment will focus on the powers of the President to dissolve the Parliament when the government has a majority within a one year period. It will also save the members of parliament to vote according to their conscious without considering party differences. "The President is allowed to bring in changes or adjustments to the amendments before it is presented to the Parliament. "The 18 th amendment is brought in assist the easy functioning of 17th amendment," Minister Peiris added. The Opposition Leader MP Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking to the Sunday Observer said that they have not decided on the PA's reaction yet but will be decided at a Central Committee meeting, after the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's return to the country. He also said that they will discuss the issue at the Provincial Council level as well. Chief Opposition Whip Mangala Samaraweera said that the government to bring in amendments at their own whims and fancies within 24 hours will not be that easy. However, he refused to say anything what would be their decision be and said "we have enough time to decide on it". Meanwhile, PA sources revealed that arrangements were being made to hold a Central Committee meeting of PA on Saturday evening. The Media Unit of the People's Liberation Front (JVP) said that they are still considering the matter and will announce their decision once they study the amendments carefully. |
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