Cabinet decides to abolish the 19th amendment to the constitution

August 19, 2020 at 1:50 PM

Cabinet approval has been granted to abolish the 19th Amendment and to draft the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella said.

The first cabinet meeting of the new government was held this morning headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Speaking to the media after the first cabinet meeting, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the Government has taken a decision to abolish the 19th amendment of the constitution and replace it with the 20th amendment of the constitution.

Last week new Minister of Justice President’s Counsel Ali Sabry said that the Government hopes to table in Parliament the 20th Amendment to the Constitution by mid- September.

Minister Sabry said measures are being taken to abolish the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and replace it with the 20th Amendment.

“Clauses in the 19th Amendment that are detrimental to the country will be abolished and amended. We hope to introduce the 20th Amendment, which will be inclusive of all communities’, he said.

The Justice Minister further said that once finalized, the new draft proposals will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval.

Basil reveals expected amendments to Constitution

Under the draft proposal for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, the President’s term in office will remain as 5 years, while a candidate will be allowed to contest the Presidential election only twice.

Commenting on the existing independent commissions, the Justice Minister assured that the 20th Amendment will not affect the operations of the Commissions and it will continue to function as at present. (Newswire)