SJB to review counter 20A plans in light of COVID-19 outbreak

Tuesday, 6 October 2020 01:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says committed to campaigning against amendment but is conscious of need to fight COVID-19

By Asiri Fernando

The Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) yesterday said that they will review the party’s plans to educate the public on the dangers posed by the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this week.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, SJB member Kabir Hashim said that the party stands firm about voting against the 20th Amendment and expect that other like-minded parties will join them.

“If the risk of COVID-19 spreading again is high with this outbreak, the Government should take relevant measures to contain it. We as a party will need to review some of our plans and it will be discussed at our parliamentary group meeting.”

Hashim told the press that he had returned from Kegalle recently and claimed that some members of the public question if the COVID-19 outbreak was a move by the Government to distract the public from other serious issues. However, the SJB member said that as a responsible opposition the SJB will not politicise the issue, and offered the Government their assistance and support in managing this national health crisis.