Sri Lanka Supreme Court says constitutional amendment needs referendum

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s highest court has ruled that four sections of a proposed amendment to the constitution that would consolidate power in the president’s hands will need approval in a public referendum to become law because they are against the people's sovereignty.

The Supreme Court's ruling, announced on Tuesday (Oct 20) by the parliamentary speaker, said that proposed sections that relieve the president from being responsible to parliament and give him immunity from lawsuits and the power to dissolve parliament after one year in office are against public sovereignty.

The court said that a referendum would be required if the sections are not appropriately changed.

The constitution currently allows the president's actions to be questioned in court and disallows him from dissolving parliament until six months before his five-year term ends.

The top court, however, has allowed many of the contentious proposals, including giving the president the power to hold any number of ministries, appoint and sack ministers, and appoint top judges and officials to the country's key institutions.

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Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that some sections can be rectified through parliamentary debate, and others according to the Supreme Court's instructions.

Parliament will debate the amendment on Wednesday and Thursday, and a vote on a rectified bill is scheduled for Thursday evening.

Support from at least 150 lawmakers will be needed to pass the amendmRead More – Source