Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution has caused a “small division” in society, while accusing the Opposition of exaggerating concerns over the legislation for political gain.
Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the Bill, Rathnayake said the Government was aware of the differences that had emerged over the proposed constitutional changes.
“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 accused the Opposition of “demonising” the amendment by creating fears over consequences that, he said, were not contained in the Bill.
He also alleged that Opposition politicians had taken their concerns to religious leaders and professional organisations in an effort to generate opposition to the proposed amendment.
The Bill has faced objections from Opposition parties and professional organisations, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, which challenged the legislation before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court subsequently determined that the amendment did not require approval at a referendum, subject to specified changes. Parliament has been debating the Bill over two days, with the vote scheduled for today.
Rathnayake rejected claims that the amendment poses a threat to the judiciary, saying the Government was aware of the Opposition’s efforts to gain political mileage from the issue.
