Supreme Court concludes hearing of petitions over 20A

COLOMBO (News1st): The consideration of petitions and intervening petitions on the draft bill of the 20th amendment concluded at the Supreme Court on Monday. The Supreme Court ruling would be handed over to the Speaker and the President in due course. The five-member judge bench headed by the Chief Justice that heard the petitions, ordered written submissions to be presented before 3 pm tomorrow. During today's session, Attorney General Dappula de Livera told court that the draft bill does not contain provisions that are in violation of the constitution or the people's sovereignty. He argued that it would be sufficient to pass the amendment with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Accordingly, the state prosecutor requested the judge bench to issue an order determining that a public referendum is not required over this matter. He said that the people's right to exercise their franchise has been protected by the 20th amendment as it balances the powers of the executive, legislature, and the judiciary. The Attorney General told court that the President who was elected by the people, and the Parliament, will only act according to the sovereignty of the people. He added that a suitable parliament is required to pass bills at the discretion of the President in order to develop the country. Meanwhile, the Attorney General informed court that provisions pertaining to dual citizenship have been inserted in the amendment to allow citizens who have been distanced from the country, to serve their motherland. He noted that elected such an individual as a parliamentarian or a President, will only take place based on the sovereignty of the people.