Catholic bishops: 20A ‘should not be proceeded with, in its entirety’

COLOMBO: The Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka says a new constitution “needs to be the national priority at the moment.”

It also said in a statement that the 20th Amendment to the current constitution “should not be proceeded with, in its entirety.”

The statement added: “Whether it is an amendment or the drafting of a new Constitution, the sovereignty of the people should always be safeguarded and protected.”

Sri Lanka’s Amarapura and Ramanna Samagiri Maha Sangha sabha earlier advised the government to withdraw the 20th Amendment.

In a joint statement, they said the 20th Amendment “is a violation of democracy and an obstacle for freedom of expression.”