3 September 2020 12:00 am
By Kelum Bandara
The Cabinet yesterday endorsed the bill titled ‘20th Amendment to the Constitution’ which, if enacted, will change the provisions of the 19th Amendment bar four areas - the term limit of President, duration of presidency, the term of Parliament and the right to information, sources said yesterday.
The bill was to be sent for gazetting last night. Afterwards, it will be presented in Parliament to be debated and enacted into law with a majority of two-thirds.
The 19th Amendment was incorporated into the Constitution during the term of the last government. It has done away with the President’s power to dissolve the House for four and half years.
Also, it has barred the President from holding ministerial posts. According to the 19th Amendment, the government cannot bring urgent bills.