Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has questioned how President Anura Kumara Dissanayake could publicly state that the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment could be passed with a two-thirds majority while the Supreme Court has yet to deliver its determination on the legislation.
Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa said the President had previously argued that the 20th Amendment required approval at a referendum, but was now saying that a referendum was not necessary for the 22nd Amendment.
He questioned how the President could make a determination on the required parliamentary majority before the Supreme Court had announced its ruling on the constitutionality of the proposed amendment.
Premadasa also criticised the government’s response to concerns raised by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association over the proposed amendment, saying the organisation was recognised by the Commonwealth and had played a role in promoting the rule of law and judicial independence.
He said the association had publicly raised concerns about the impact of the 22nd Amendment on democracy and the independence of the judiciary, while the government had failed to properly understand the organisation and its role.
Premadasa further claimed that the proposed amendment undermined the Latimer House Principles on the separation of powers among the executive, legislature and judiciary. He also referred to a resolution reportedly adopted by the Galle Bar Association opposing the 22nd Amendment.
The Opposition Leader said the government was weakening both the economy and democratic institutions, and accused it of attempting to restrict media freedom through proposed legislation to establish a body for chartered media professionals.
He said the Opposition would oppose any attempt to use the government’s two-thirds parliamentary majority to restrict media freedom and urged the government to withdraw what he described as measures aimed at suppressing the media.
Premadasa also called on the Justice Minister to apologise to the Commonwealth Lawyers Association over the government’s handling of its concerns and criticised officials for allegedly refusing to meet the association’s president. (Newswire)