This evening, a meeting of the Pohottu faction of the ruling party, which was presided over by the president, reportedly featured a heated discussion about the 22nd amendment.
After some time, it was found that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also attended this group meeting.
Mr. Sarath Weerasekera, who spoke first, indicated that the 22nd Amendment will diminish the President’s powers, and he is opposed to it.
Even when the 19th amendment was proposed, he reportedly objected against it.
Mr. S.B. Dissanayake has since spoken out against the 22nd amendment.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would not have been able to win the war if he had not held the position of Executive President, he has stated.
Sagara Kariyawasam, the general secretary of Pohottu, has stated that he does not know who drafted the 22nd amendment, or at least he has not seen a copy of it.
Minister of Justice Wijayadasa Rajapaksa indicated that the document was not drafted by him, but by the former president.
In relation to this, the President has also stated that this was drafted under the administration of the previous president, and that he merely carried it through.
Mr. Sagara Kariyawasam, who has aired his views in a forceful manner, has stated that he has the support of thirty members of parliament, none of whom will vote for the 22nd amendment.
Later, the President informed the members of parliament not to worry and that any revisions to be presented on the 22nd must be received by Wednesday.