22-A before parliament tomorrow
Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse yesterday announced that the 22nd constitutional Amendment Bill, which was prepared to repeal the 20th Amendment and incorporating the positive clauses of the 19th Amendment, would be submitted to Parliament tomorrow (27).
As per parliamentary standing orders, the Bill can be debated one week after the first reading, if it is not challenged before the Supreme Court.
The Cabinet has approved the 22nd constitutional Amendment Bill. Therefter that, the Bill was published in a gazette on June 24.
The ability of a person holding dual citizenship to be involved in governance activities has been blocked by the proposed constitutional amendment. The amendment also states that a Sri Lankan citizen who is a citizen of another country should not be elected to the Parliament by popular vote.
It also states that if the Prime Minister resigns by sending a letter to the President with his own signature or if he is no longer a Member of Parliament, he is not eligible to hold his office.
The 22nd Amendment bill states that the Prime Minister will hold his position as long as the Cabinet remains active.
It also states that if the President is of the opinion that Parliament has lost confidence in the Prime Minister during the period starting from the effective date of this Act and when the Parliament is to be dissolved, the Prime Minister can be removed from office.
The 22nd Amendment states that the President should not make any appointment or assign or change subjects and tasks without consulting the Prime Minister.
It is stated that a minister can be removed by a letter sent under the signature of the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and any minister can resign from office by a letter with his signature sent to the President.
Chief Government Whip Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, has said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed to submit the 22nd constitutional amendment to Parliament.
Minister Ranatunga said that the draft bill would be included in the Order Book of Parliament
