Opposition Leader Rajavarothiam Sampanthan opened the Committee Stage of the Budget yesterday, with conciliatory remarks towards the Government, which he said had lifted subservience to the executive and the climate of fear in the country.

 The veteran Tamil politician told the House as the Third Reading of the Budget kicked off that the passage of the 19th Amendment had brought vital changes to the country, by its redefinition of the roles of the President and the Prime Minister.

“I am happy about the appointment of independent commissions and their members accordingly. We being part of the constitutional council made these appointments purely for the betterment of the country. We know their performance will be something the country will appreciate,” Sampanthan noted.