brand logo

21A discussion in Cabinet tomorrow

05 Jun 2022

 
  • Presentation to Parliament delayed until SC observation on SJB Bill
  • Final decision on President holding portfolios after SC opinion
  • Party leaders reach consensus on amended draft 21st Amendment 
  By Our Political Editor The Government’s proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution is to be taken up for discussion at the meeting of Cabinet Ministers scheduled for tomorrow (6), but will not be presented to Parliament this week, The Sunday Morning learns.  Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told The Sunday Morning that the proposed piece of legislation would be taken up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting since the parliamentary party leaders had reached a consensus on several key clauses.  However, the proposed 21st Amendment will not be presented to Parliament this week as initially planned, with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stating that the Government’s Bill will be presented to Parliament after the Supreme Court (SC) makes its verdict known on the case challenging the 21st Amendment Bill presented by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).  According to Rajapakshe, the abolition of the Executive Presidency will require a referendum, and the Constitution has clearly stated that the Defence portfolio should be vested with the president.  These issues had been taken up for discussion at the parliamentary party leaders’ meeting held last Friday (3) under the Prime Minister’s patronage. On the issue of the appointment of ministers and subjects, the Prime Minister had told the party leaders that it could be stated that the allocations would be done on the advice of the prime minister from the next Parliament, since the ruling party would object to its immediate implementation. Wickremesinghe had also noted that a proviso could be added that ministers would immediately be appointed in consultation with the Prime Minister.  As for the president’s power to remove the prime minister, it had been agreed that in the current scenario, the president could remove the premier only if the Parliament did not have confidence in the prime minister. Once again, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had noted that the SLPP MPs were concerned about the current scenario and that they could not object if Parliament was given the power along with the President to remove the Premier in the present Parliament. However, the president will not have the power to remove the prime minister from the next Parliament.   The party leaders had also discussed the President’s ability to hold a portfolio. After discussion on the matter, it had also been agreed that the President would retain the Defence portfolio as stipulated in Article 4 of the Constitution. Several party leaders had also pointed out that the President would only be a figurehead if he was not allowed to hold a portfolio. However, the Prime Minister had said that it would be better to await the SC determination on the SJB’s proposed 21st Amendment Bill as the issue was being challenged before Court.  Finally a general consensus had been reached at last Friday’s party leaders’ meeting on an amended draft of the 21st Amendment except on the clause on the President holding a portfolio, which is to be decided after the SC determination is known.  


More News..