No Substantial Changes To 20 A

Internal criticism of the new Bill centred on the provisions such as the ones to make way for dual citizens to enter Parliament. The Bill ran into hot waters with some groups within the government itself making reservations about certain provisions of it. The government says 20A is a temporary arrangement until the enactment of a totally new constitution later.

- Kelum Bandara

The government presented the bill titled ‘20th Amendment to the Constitution’ to Parliament in its original form despite attempts by a section of the government to get a fresh version of it with some changes included.

This is the first legislative work by the new government that has been elected with a two-thirds majority along with the support of the likeminded minor parties from the north and the east.

The Bill ran into hot water with some groups within the government itself making reservations about certain provisions of it. The 20th Amendment is basically sought to be enacted to undo the 19th Amendment incorporated during the time of the previous Yahapalana government except a few provisions of it dealing with the term limit of the president, duration of Parliament etc.

Internal criticism of the new Bill centred on the provisions such as the ones to make way for dual citizens to enter Parliament and for the abolition of the national audit commission. Following dissension within the government, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a nine-member committee headed by Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to look into areas of contention as raised by some of the ruling party members.