The Supreme Court yesterday concluded arguments put forward in support and against the bill titled “Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution” and all parties in the petitions were directed to file their written submissions forthwith.
The Supreme Court’s determination over the proposed bill will be later communicated to the Speaker.
The Supreme Court Bench comprised Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Prasanna Jayawardena and Justice Murdu Fernando.
Counsel appearing on behalf of JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath informed the Supreme Court that none of the clauses of the bill titled Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution are inconsistent with any of Article referred to in Article 83 of the Constitution and therefore the bill does not need to be submitted for the approval of the people at a referendum.
However,the Attorney General maintained that the bill shall become law only through a two-thirds majority in Parliament and the approval of the people at a referendum.
Sixteen petitions challenging the bill entitled “Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution Amendment to the Constitution” had been filed before Supreme Court by various parties seeking a declaration that the bill shall become law only through a two-thirds majority in Parliament and the approval of the people at a referendum.
The petitioners stated that the bill entitled Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution was presented to Parliament by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and placed on Order Paper of the Parliament on September 5, 2018.
The Petitioners state that several clauses of the said Bill, are in violation of and inconsistent with several Articles of the Constitution.
Senior Additional Solicitor General Dilrushi Dias Wickremesinghe appeared for the Attorney General.