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Constitutional amendment: Consensus reached, 21A to Cabinet

19 Jun 2022

By Our Political Editor The Government’s proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution, which has been delayed from being taken up at the Cabinet for approval, is to be presented to Cabinet tomorrow (20) for approval after reaching a consensus with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), it is learnt. Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told The Sunday Morning that the draft 21st Amendment would be taken up for approval at the Cabinet meeting on Monday since a consensus had been reached with the President and the ruling party. He explained that the consensus had been reached at a meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and senior ministers last Thursday (16). When asked whether the ruling party had also agreed to the draft 21st Amendment, the Justice Minister said that consensus had been reached with the party as well. Accordingly, Ministers Rajapakshe, Keheliya Rambukwella, Ramesh Pathirana, Dinesh Gunawardena, Prof. G.L. Peiris and SLPP General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam had attended the meeting with the President. During the meeting, the President had asked whether the proposals sent by him through Minister Peiris had been accommodated. Rajapakshe had explained that the proposals had been included as transitional clauses in the draft piece of legislation.  These clauses ensure that President Rajapaksa will retain certain powers – which have been disputed by the SLPP and will be curtailed from the Executive Presidency from the next Parliament.  The clauses with provisos are on the removal of the president’s power to remove the prime minister, the president’s role in the appointment of the cabinet of ministers and allocating their subjects, and the president’s ability to hold portfolios. The President and the SLPP had requested that these clauses be applied from the term of the next Parliament.  At last Thursday’s meeting, it had been noted that further delaying the Government’s 21st Amendment would result in increased agitation among the Opposition in Parliament, as well as concerns being raised by the international community over the delay in positive movements in the political reforms programme.  An agreement had finally been reached that the proposed 21st Amendment would be taken up in the Cabinet tomorrow (20) for final decision, and to move forward from there. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court determination on the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) 21st Amendment Bill is expected to be read out in Parliament by the Speaker when Parliament meets this week.  The Government’s proposed 21st Amendment is expected to mark the start of the political reforms process demanded by the Opposition and the public. The final draft of the piece of legislation that is to be taken up in Cabinet tomorrow had been finalised following two rounds of meetings with parliamentary party leaders to receive observations and proposals to be included in it.  


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