No decision to abolish 13th Amendment

* Choice with Parliament

* Anyone can express ideas

Ridma Dissanayake

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday said the government has no intention of abolishing the 13th Amendment. “The 13th Amendment is a part of the constitution. Because of that, we have given the oath to protect the 13th Amendment as the government,” he said.

“It can be changed at any time, but currently we have not taken any decision to abolish the 13th Amendment,” the minister said.

Minister Rambukwella was addressing a special press briefing at the Mass Media and Information Ministry yesterday. Several parties are trying to insult the constitution of Sri Lanka and they are trying to say that the amendments to the constitution will harm democracy in the country. But India which is known as the largest democracy in the world is also making amendments in their constitution. Anyone hase the right to express their ideas on the 13th amendment and the decision taken by Parliament will put in to action in the future,he further explained. According to Minister Rambukwella, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said he will never take action as a dictator on this issue, even if he has a chance to do as so. The President has said he will accept any decision taking by Parliament regarding to the 13th Amendment. Answering a question by the media, the minister said Parliament had appointed a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) as the best possible avenue to find a solution to the National Question.

But the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has not appointed their representatives for this PSC yet. "The national political parties as well as all other parties representing various sections of the people should make a genuine effort to solve the National Question. In that situation, the TNA has a responsibility to make their own decisions as a main opposition party. If they do not do so, the government has to take that responsibility,"the minister stated. Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary Dr.Charitha Herath and Government Information Director General Prof.Ariyaratne Athugala were also presented.