Government to move minor amendments to 20 A at Committee Stage
The amendments the Government intends to move to the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution (20A) Bill at its Committee Stage will include increasing the period that must elapse before the President may use his powers to dissolve Parliament to two-and-a-half years, while in the draft 20A Bill, the President could dissolve Parliament after a year.
Another amendment will be to increase the members of the Election Commission from three to five, and to make one of its members a retired officer of the Department of Elections or Election Commission, who has held office as a Deputy Commissioner of Elections or above.
The other members will be those who have distinguished themselves in any profession or in the fields of administration or education.
The clause dealing with the appointment of the Auditor-General is to be amended, so as to make the appointee a qualified Auditor, and also to bring the Office of the Secretary to the President and the Office of the Secretary to the Prime Minister under the oversight of the Auditor-General. These two were excluded from the 20A draft Bill.
A new section will be added to Clause 57 to make “All applications instituted under Article 126 against the Attorney-General in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the President in his official capacity and ending on the day immediately preceding the date of commencement of their Act shall be continued and disposed of accordingly.”
The Article on the powers and functions of the President will also be amended to include the words, “To ensure the creation of proper conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections, at the request of the Election Commission.”
(Source: Daily FT)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- PUCSL warns CEB: Submit tariff plan by December 6, 2024 or face action November 25, 2024
- ADB approves $200 million to modernize Sri Lanka’s power sector November 25, 2024
- Over 120,000 tourists arrive in Sri Lanka in first 20 days of November 2024 November 25, 2024
- Court orders release of Sujeewa Senasinghe’s SUV on Rs. 100 million bond November 25, 2024
- IMF backs Sri Lanka’s plan to boost revenue with vehicle imports November 25, 2024
I will support the 20A only if Hon GR undertakes to quit the Presidency when 20A is approved and Hon MR, the PM, steps in as the President.
Dear Leila,
I agree with you.
In addition to your request, please add the following conditions for supporting 20A:
– ban ex-President Sirisena from Poltics including role as backbench MP and Boss of SLFP
– ban Sajith Premadasa from Politics including role of Oppsition leader and Boss of the bogus SJB
– Military trial for both persons for corruption, misuse of office and negative leadership
Both persons have IQ far below that of the average Sri Lankan Male; both are illiterate and are not fit to hold any public office.
As far as I know the purpose of the 20A is to bring to the state before the infamous 19A. In that we can’t target only MY3 and Puthano. But may be we can introduce a minimal qualification to be a MP. To start with may be AL qualifications. After 5 years it can be elevated for a ‘first degree’ from a reputed university.