Mainstream political parties are not in agreement for an extensive devolution of powers by enforcing the 13th amendment to the constitution.
Written submissions with regard to the 13A by 20 parties received so far by the Presidential Secretariat indicate this.
At the all-party conference, president Ranil Wickremesinghe asked the participating parties to submit their views by 15 August.
SLPP general secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said his party insisted that devolving powers should not be taken up at a time when the country was in financial crisis.
He added that they would vehemently oppose any move to merge the northern and eastern provinces.
Religious leaders, national organizations and intellectual groups should be consulted before deciding if the 13A should be implemented hastily, something the previous seven presidents did not took up, he also said.
SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said it was pointless for the government to seek opinions of other parties, without presenting its own itself.
Before considering other parties, the government should have consensus among its partners, the SJB informed the Presidential Secretariat in writing, he added.
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