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20th Amendment Bill | Govt. decides on three amendments

20 Oct 2020

  • Parliament dissolution by President in two-and-a-half years
  • 19A status quo to remain on auditing state entities
  • Emergency bills only if disaster or threat to national security
By Our Political Editor The Government yesterday (19) evening decided to introduce three amendments to the proposed 20th Amendment Bill, The Morning learnt. The announcement was made by Minister of Justice Ali Sabry last evening during the governing party parliamentary group meeting, a senior government minister told The Morning. It is learnt that the three amendments to the proposed new piece of legislation relate to the powers vested with the President to dissolve Parliament, auditing of state institutions, and the presentation of emergency bills. The Government has decided to increase the number of years Parliament has to function before the President could dissolve the legislature to two-and-a-half years. Also, the auditing of state institutions is to be carried out in the same manner as previously stipulated in the 19th Amendment. The other amendment is to limit the submission of emergency bills to times of disasters and in the event of a threat to national security. However, no decision had been reached to amend the clause on dual citizens holding public office under the 20th Amendment, which has gathered much opposition by several coalition partners of the Government. Meanwhile, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is to announce to Parliament today (20) the observations of the Supreme Court on the petitions that were filed against the proposed 20th Amendment Bill. Once the Supreme Court observations are announced, the governing party might also look at introducing other amendments to the Bill at the committee stage of the debate in Parliament. The debate on the 20th Amendment Bill is scheduled to take place tomorrow (21) and on Thursday (22).


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