SJB’s draft amendments need Two Thirds, Referendum - SC | Daily News

SJB’s draft amendments need Two Thirds, Referendum - SC

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane announced yesterday (21) that the Supreme Court has determined that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution tabled by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) required approval through a referendum and a Two-Thirds majority in Parliament.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya handed over the draft Constitutional amendment proposals to the Speaker on April 21, 2022.

Following that, several groups had filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the Amendment.

The SJB’s Draft 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill has a number of proposals including the abolition of the current Executive Presidential system.

The SJB proposals also included proposals such as the cabinet of ministers continuously accountable and responsible to parliament and can be removed by no confidence motion

Also SJB proposed reduction of maximum Cabinet ministers to 25, maximum of non-Cabinet and deputy ministers to 25 and no increase of ministers in event of coalition government. Also included are stringent provisions to prevent crossovers, establish Constitutional Council and Independent Commissions including Audit and Procurement Commissions and Constitutional recognition of the National Security Council.

The SJB’s 21st Amendment also proposed to establish a State Council to obtain advice of experts on matters of public importance, re-establish constitutional democracy and protect sovereignty of people through the above.


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