{"id":70616,"date":"2020-10-12T09:14:48","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T14:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=70616"},"modified":"2020-10-12T09:14:48","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T14:14:48","slug":"amarapura-and-ramanna-buddhist-nikayas-express-opposition-to-proposed-20th-constitutional-amendment-to-safeguard-democracy-and-protect-sovereignty-of-people-and-rule-of-law-efforts-underway-to-get-as","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=70616","title":{"rendered":"Amarapura and Ramanna Buddhist Nikayas Express Opposition to Proposed 20th Constitutional Amendment to Safeguard Democracy and Protect Sovereignty of People and Rule of Law; efforts Underway to get Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters also to support Common Stance"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nA section of Sri Lanka\u2019s powerful Buddhist clergy is opposing a Constitutional Amendment proposed by the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa which would have given him sweeping powers over Parliament and the Judiciary.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two leading prelates representing two orders (Chapters) of monks told reporters that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution would \u201cdeal a death blow\u201d to democracy in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Ven Prof Pallekande Rathanasara Thero Chief Registrar of the Amarapura Sect and Ven Aththangane Sasana Rathana Thero Chief Registrar of the Ramanna order told reporters in Colombo this afternoon that the proposed amendment will not have a balance of power between the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary.<\/p>\n

The statement did not include the most powerful and influential of the Chapters of Monks, the Siam Nikaya. However, Rathanasara Thero said that their intention was to get all three traditions of Monks on board<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cAll power will be concentrated in the Executive setting us on the path to dictatorship,\u201d the Monks warned.<\/p>\n

Sasana Rathana Thero said that the 19th Amendment enacted by the last Parliament brought some \u201cbalance of power between the Judiciary, the Legislature and the Executive. This proposal gives all the power to the Executive. Approving this will be like cutting our own necks in democratic terms,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is the view of the various chapters of Monks who met and discussed this proposal last week that this proposal is being brought as part of someone\u2019s personal agenda,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe feel that as Buddhist Monks we need to safeguard democracy in this country and maintain the sovereignty of the people and the Rule of Law,\u201d Rathanasara Thero said.<\/p>\n

Permitting persons holding Dual Citizenship to hold political office will also destroy the independence of the country, he added.<\/p>\n

These proposed changes, he warned will allow those in power to \u201cpillage the wealth of the people and will legalize the misuse of state property.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the people had wanted a change in the Constitution but \u201cthey did not vote for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

At a time we are struck by a pandemic, we should first do our best to save our people and get over this disease and thereafter all the parties can come together and draft a new Constitution, he said.<\/p>\n

Courtesy:Economy Next<\/em><\/p>\n

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A section of Sri Lanka\u2019s powerful Buddhist clergy is opposing a Constitutional Amendment proposed by the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa which would have given him sweeping powers over Parliament and the Judiciary. Two leading prelates representing two orders (Chapters) of monks told reporters that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution would \u201cdeal a death …<\/p>\n

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