Sri Lanka main opposition to boycott constitution reform debate

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) vowed here Tuesday to boycott the parliamentary sessions on the 18th amendment to the constitution.

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the decision in parliament as his opposition legislators attended the session clad in black clothing in protest.

Outlining the reasons Wickremesinghe said he had attended the meetings with President Mahinda Rajapaksa based on an arrangement to convert the executive presidency to an executive prime minister based government.

"We were told that Attorney General's opinion was being sought on the abolition of presidency," Wickremesinghe said.

He said the amendment was undemocratic and weak in law.

"It needs the approval of provincial councils," Wickremesinghe said.

However, at least eight of UNP legislators are expected to vote in favor of the amendment which will allow incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest the presidency for an unlimited number of times.

Source: Xinhua