Leftists on horns of a dilemma over amendments

The Leftist parties’ opposition to the proposed Constitutional Amendments are the same as to their opposition to the 1978 Constitution, Democratic Leftist Front General Secretary and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara told Adaderana a short while ago.

Three Leftist parties within the government held discussions on their stance in Parliament on Wednesday when the amendments bill is to be presented. All three parties are of the same opinion, Mr. Nanayakkara said.

However, these three parties have failed to reach an agreement on what stand they should adopt during and at the conclusion of the debate on the amendments, said Vasudeva Nanayakkara.

The veteran Leftist politician who is the UPFA’s Ratnapura District representative said they are on the horns of a dilemma as to issue of how to protest the UPFA which was formed to tread the middle path in politics, while at the same time opposing the latest constitutional amendments.

The UPFA was formed to protect the country from the machinations of the extremists and racist political forces. This made matters worse for the Leftists within the government which wanted to protect the alliance while opposing the amendments, Vasudeva Nanayakkara told Adaderana.