Says 20A has not been discussed or studied adequately by the Chapter to express an opinion

Maha Nayaka Thera’s statement comes a day after members of Amarapura and Ramanna Maha Nikayas called on Govt. to withdraw 20A

Sri Lanka Amarapura Nikaya Maha Sanga Sabha President Ven. Gantune Assaji Maha Nayaka Thera yesterday said there has been no comprehensive study or discussions of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution by the members of the Amarapura Chapter to give a definite opinion on the Bill.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Maha Nayaka there said that neither the Council of Representatives of the Amarapura Nikaya nor its executive committee nor other affiliated bodies have discussed this amendment. “If there is to be such a discussion, each clause of the Bill has to be studied carefully. Also, before expressing any opinion, it is important to know the amendments the Government plans to move at the Committee Stage in Parliament as well, as the Supreme Court’s determination on the Bill.  These must be taken into consideration when expressing an opinion,” the Maha Nayaka Thera said.

He added that it was his personal opinion that the country needs a powerful Executive then at present. The Maha Nayaka Thera’s statement came a day after members of the Amarapura and the Ramanna Maha Nikayas, including the General Secretaries of the two Chapters, made a joint appeal to the Government to withdraw the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, warning that its enactment would seriously undermine democracy in the country.

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