Strong parliament sufficient, two-thirds led to enactment of laws detrimental to people: President

Colombo, November 14 (Daily Mirror)- Claiming that the two-thirds majority was used by political forces to enact laws detrimental to the people, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the government was expecting only a strong parliament.

He told the media after casting his vote that his government was expecting to enact laws and regulations beneficial to the people and that they could garner support of more than a two-thirds majority in parliament for such laws.

"No MP can vote against such people-friendly laws and regulations. A two-thirds majority is expected to enact laws detrimental to the people. In 2010, the then government obtained a two-thirds majority and enacted the 18th Amendment to the Constitution by repealing the 17th Amendment. In 2020, the 20th Amendment was introduced by repealing the 19th Amendment under a two-thirds majority. The political forces used two-thirds majority to enact laws which violated people's democratic rights. A two-thirds majority is crucial for such political forces," he said.

The President emphasised that the country could progress with a new political culture, which could be fostered by establishing a strong parliament capable of passing populist acts and laws.

He highlighted that the NPP aims to create a political culture that unites all provinces, the North, South, East, and West under one government.

The President also remarked that the people of Sri Lanka desire the peaceful democratic freedom established after the Presidential election victory to continue through all future elections.