Amended 19 A in Parliament on April 20, dissolution to follow – President
President Maithripala Sirisena said the relevant clauses of 19th Amendment to the Constitution will be amended and it will presented to Parliament on April 20. He said Parliament will be dissolved after the passage of the 19th Amendment.
Speaking in Polonnaruwa this afternoon, he said that this would help to bring clarity to what is seem as a confused political situation that prevails in the country today.
Earlier, the Supreme Court has determined that the 19th Amendment is consistent with the constitution and that, however, certain sections require a referendum, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa informed Parliament today.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickramanayake stated that the sections which require a referendum will be omitted from the 19th Amendment.
The Supreme Court took up 19 petitions filed against the proposed 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which was presented to Parliament on March 24. The Supreme Court also heard seven intervening petitions in addition to the 19 petitions.
The petitions were taken up before a three Judge, Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice K Sripavan and Justices Chandra Ekanayake and Priyasath Dep.
On Monday (06), the Supreme Court concluded the hearings on the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which pushes for the amending of executive powers and restoration of independent commissions, while its decision on the constitutional reforms were notified to the Speaker.
(Government News Portal)
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There’s more confusion from this statement. Will Parliament continue if 19A is not passed with a 2/3 majority? On the other hand, if UPFA supports 19A and ensures a 2/3rds majority, then the path to return of Mahinda Rajapaksa / Gothabhaya Rajapaksa as rulers, will be opened at the General Election that follows.
The return of the Rajapaksa leadership to Temple Trees will restore sanity in the political arena. However, the carrot being dangled to provide an opportunity for the possible return of the Rajapaksa leadership, is vulgar and immoral.
The righteous way forward is to dissolve Parliament, call for a General Election and a Referendum on 19A at the same time. The UPFA should not support 19A in Parliament if its not approved by the electorate in the Referendum.
19A has division and separation written clearly between the lines. Beware.
This amendment will not succeed.
If it’s passed, then most of the authorities including dissolving the parliament will have to do by PM.
Knowing that winning chances are minimal PM will not dissolve, and will continue this current Govt.
Since Supreme Court decides has to take referendum due to certain sections in the amendment.
Even though Ranil and the clan taken out those sections it will not fully visible to anyone.
This is not good practice.
Going forward with this set is too dangerous as they simply deciding to take out certain sections.
Do everyone knows that most of deciding factors and transferring to PM from Exec Presidents powers.
This will allow PM to take his own decisions and carry out any changes further.
Now that people in SL has seen what you have done and how you have done, If the general election goes the other way, your majesty, you will the next one to dissolve!