President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (17) addressed the controversy surrounding the recent amendment to the Penal Code, which seeks to ban corporal punishment against children, during the National Teachers’ Summit.

In his speech, the President hinted that the government might reconsider passing the amendment amid growing public opposition.

“A certain amendment has been presented to Parliament. There is a public outcry over that matter. The amendment has not yet been passed in Parliament. However, I want to make it clear that this government will not pass any law that the people oppose. We make laws for the people, not for lawmakers. If the public says such a law is unnecessary, we will not pass it. Remember, there was a time when rulers introduced entire constitutions for their own benefit. We will not do that,” he said.