Sajith Premadasa: ‘Parliament will become a puppet’ .

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new constitutional amendment would result in “an elected dictatorship in this country,” Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament on Tuesday.

His remarks came as Sri Lanka’s ruling party unveiled the 20th amendment handing unprecedented power to the president, prompting protests in parliament and opposition claims of a power-grab.

The bill proposes the removal of legal and legislative oversight of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on human rights and government spending.

It also awards the head of state the right to appoint Supreme Court judges.

Premadasa said this would result in “an elected dictatorship in this country.”

“The parliament will become a puppet … This is the darkest day for democracy in the country,” Premadasa told parliament as opposition legislators wore black armbands in protest.

The ruling party enjoys a two thirds majority in parliament, and the bill is likely to be passed.