JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake vehemently denied claims that the 20th Amendment to the constitution was proposed due to fears of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa's entry int politics. 

Addressing a meeting in Gampaha, Dissanayake said, "Gotabaya Rajapaksa's entry into politics is a problem within the Rajapaksa family. His name has been proposed as a potential candidate as former President mahinda Rajapaksa can't run for presidency." 

"The 20th Amendment to the constitution proposes abolition of Executive Presidency. That means former President Rajapaksa can still rule the country as the Prime Minister. So, what's the problem?" he asked. 

"However, those running behind Gota are now upset as it shatters the latter's opportunities. Those are family matters. They should resolve them within the family. We have nothing to do with such problems," Dissanayake said. 

He added that Executive Presidency belittled the importance of the judiciary and the legislature. 

"We have been in Chandrika Bandaranaike's Cabinet for 14 months. We have seen how some powerful Cabinet ministers had to pamper Chandrika's pet dog before the Cabinet meeting. Such is the power of Executive Presidency."