Opposition made passage of 22A possible – SJB

The SJB has called President Ranil Wickremesinghe not to misinterpret the passage of the 22nd amendment to the Constitution as a victory for him.Addressing a public rally at Galagedara in Kandy yesterday, Chief Opposition Whip SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said the majority of those who had voted for the 22nd Amendment were from the Opposition. “Of the 174 votes received in favour of passing the Bill, 100 votes were from the opposition. We had 40 votes, the SLPP dissidents had 40 votes and the rest of 20 were from MPs of minor groups sitting in the opposition.

The government had only 74 votes for the passing of the Bill. We voted for the sake of people as we need to get international assistance as soon as possible. The UN in their last meeting with us told us that Sri Lanka would receive aid and assistance only if we did away with the 20th Amendment and pass the 22nd Amendment. The Bill was passed with Opposition votes,” he said.

Kiriella said that Wickremesinghe may have the powers of the post of the President but the latter should also know that a President could not run this country without the support of Parliament.

“The time is running out for this government,” Kiriella said.