Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure State Minister Nimal Lanza said that the 19th Amendment was brought by the previous Government not to do good to the country, but to limit the powers of then President Maithripala Sirisena and consolidate the power of then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He expressed these views at a discussion held with his political supporters at the Negombo Municipal Council Hall, on Tuesday.
“The 19th Amendment has done no good to the country. Even the IGP could not be removed after the Easter Sunday attacks,” he said.
The State Minister said, “The main responsibility of a democratic country is to hold elections on time. However, the Election Commission could not do it during the previous government’s time. The then President and Prime Minister went two ways and the country went backwards.”
“As a result, national security and the economy suffered setbacks. That is why people gave us the power with two-thirds’ majority,” said Nimal Lansa.
“After Wickremesinghe’s presidential dream faded, he worked through the 19th Amendment to increase his powers as Prime Minister. Another objective was to do everything possible to keep the Rajapaksa’s out of politics. The 20th Amendment, however, will be drafted for the benefit of the country,” he added.
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