19A still inoperative,will take a few more days-Minister

3 May 2015 06:56 pm

Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday it would take a few days for the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to come into force though it was initially set to be operative from April 30 onwards.

The Minister said there were a lot of amendments proposed during the Committee Stage of the debate, and they should all be incorporated into the Bill. After that, he said it had to be perused both by the Attorney General and the Legal Draftsman.

“Then only, the Speaker can sign it into an Act. Once the Speaker certifies, it will come into force. Otherwise, it was set to be operative from April 30. But, we have to wait for the Speaker’s Certification,” he said.  

The Minister said the entire process would take at least three or four days.

The 19th Amendment, once coming into force, will restrict the presidential term to five years. It will provide for the setting up of the Constitutional Council. The Cabinet size will also be reduced to 30. However, a few clauses related to the Judicial Service Commission will come into force only after the next general election.

“During the committee stage, around 60 clauses were amended,” he said. (KB)