National Freedom Front delays filing FR petition against 13th Amendment

Constituent party of ruling alliance, National Freedom Front (NFF), led by Minister of Construction, Engineering Services and Common Amenities Wimal Weerawansa, has postponed the filing of a fundamental rights petition against the 13th Amendment to the constitution following legal advice.

General Secretary of the NFF Priyanjith Vitharana told media that the filing of the petition was delayed due to the current conflict of interest between the judiciary and legislature.

Another cause for the deferment is the appointment of the NFF leader Minister Weerawansa as a member to the parliamentary select committee that was appointed to probe the impeachment charges against the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, the secretary of NFF said.

The NFF in its petition will request the courts to abolish the provincial councils established in line with the 13th Amendment.

Meanwhile the NFF yesterday held discussions with the main constituent of the ruling alliance, Sri Lanka Freedom Party on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Following the discussions, NFF leader has said the two parties came to an understanding that the Provincial Council system needed to be amended but without hindrance to powers of the legislature.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa, MP Weerakumara Dissanayaka and Colombo Municipal Council member M.J.M. Muzammil represented the NFF at the discussion held in the parliamentary complex Monday while the Sri Lanka Freedom Party was represented by its General Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Ministers John Seneviratne, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Dilan Perera at the discussion.