Despite strong criticism from the opposition and majority of the media, the Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has defended the decision of his Government to amend the Constitution. The amendments, which have been referred to by the Government to the Supreme Court for its opinion, are scheduled to be debated and voted in Parliament on September 8, 2010. Thanks to the recent defections from the ranks of the opposition in recent days, the Government as of now is assured of the required two-thirds majority in Parliament. Addressing a special convention of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headed by him, Mr. Rajapaksa has contended that the proposed changes to the 1978 Constitution are not as `dangerous’ as has been made out by the opposition.