Two thirds majority for 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

Two thirds majority for 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution was passed with a two thirds majority in Parliament with amendments. One hundred and fifty six MPs voted in favour while 65 voted against. Two hundred and twenty three Parliamentarians were present in the House.

The Draft Bill of the 20th Amendment to amend the Constitution was tabled in Parliament for the First Reading on September 22. Justice Minister Ali Sabry presented the 20A, the Bill to amend the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It was also a key election pledge of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

The government easily won the two-thirds majority in the 225-member Legislature to pass the constitutional amendment of which the main objective was to strengthen the hand of the Executive and restore the powers that were stripped from the President under the 19th Amendment to the constitution.

The second reading debate on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution lasted for two days on October 21 and 22 from 10.00 am to 7.30 pm. The vote was taken around 7.45 pm. The second reading was passed with a two thirds majority in Parliament yesterday. One hundred and fifty six voted in favor while 65 voted against. Two hundred and twenty three parliamentarians were present in the House.

SJB Anuradhapura District MPs Ishak Rahuman and M.S. Thowfeek, National List MP Diana Gamage, Digamadulla MPs H.M.M. Harees and Faizal Cassim, Badulla District MP A. Aravindh Kumar, SLMC Batticaloa District MP Naseer Ahamad and M.N.A.Puttalam District MP A.S. Raheem voted with the government MPs. SLPP MP Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe voted in favour.

SLFP leader former President Maithripala Sirisena was absent. During the third reading Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella asked for a division on clause 17 by name which related to the dual citizenship.The clause was voted in favour by 157 and 64 against. The amendments included a clause to increase the number of judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

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