Sri Lanka, Sept. 7 -- Questions were raised over why a referendum demanded for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution was deemed unnecessary for the proposed 22nd Amendment.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made these remarks while addressing a Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya meeting in Rattota yesterday (06).

The proposed 22nd Amendment would undermine judicial independence and further weaken the rule of law, Premadasa alleged.

Pointing out that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake previously insisted on a referendum alongside a two-thirds parliamentary majority for the 20th Amendment while in opposition, he questioned why government members now claim a referendum is not required.

An attempt by the government to weaken democratic instituti...