• Rejects claims by PM that SJB/NPP boycott of Parliament delaying Bill
• Says Govt. Bill will come into effect only when current President’s term end

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday rejected claims by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the 21st Amendment will be delayed as the SJB and the NPP were boycotting Parliament and said the draft Bill will not curtail the powers of the incumbent President.

“The constitutional reforms will come to effect only when the term of the present President comes to an end. This President will have all powers, including the powers to dismiss the Prime Minister. This is similar to what former President Chandrika Kumaratunga proposed in 2000. Her reforms were seen as good and acceptable reforms. We are going to face a similar situation,” Premadasa said during a meeting he held with a group of activists yesterday.

The Prime Minister, during a statement to Parliament on Tuesday, said that Cabinet approval has been given to the 21st Amendment and all parties must come to an agreement on the proposals put forward and present the final draft Bill to Parliament.

“However, it is unfortunate that the process will be delayed due to the boycott of Parliament by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the National People’s Power Party,” he said.

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