8 Govt MPs supporting 13 A, says Devananada
At least 38 UPFA parliamentarians, including ministers, are opposed to any changes to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, a Cabinet minister said. “I have collected the signatures of 38 MPs who say that the 13th Amendment should remain intact,” Minister and Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) leader Douglas Devananda said.
He was talking on Friday to a selected group of journalists on matters related to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections to be held in September. Mr. Devananda said the Government would not be able to get the required two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass any changes to the 13th Amendment.
“If the Government tries to dilute the 13th Amendment, we will oppose it. We want the full implementation of the 13th Amendment,” he said. The minister said the existing provincial council system was the best way to devolve powers to the provinces. “This is a golden opportunity to devolve powers,” he added.
Mr. Devananda said the 38 members supporting the 13th Amendment were firm in their view that no changes should be made.
Meanwhile, the EPDP is yet undecided on whether the party should contest the NPC elections on its own or under the UPFA.
By Chris Kamalendran
ST