23 September 2020 12:00 am
By T. Farook Thajudeen
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the 20th Amendment to the Constitution which, the petitioner alleged, is an infringement of the Constitution and the rights of the people.
The petitioner Indika Gallage, an Attorney-at-Law, of No 167A, Horekele Junction, Kalapugama, Moronthuduwa, had cited the Attorney General, as respondent to the petition.
The petitioner states that he had filed the petition in the Supreme Court exercising his humble and faithful duty to uphold and defend the Constitution and the law as well as in exercising his fundamental duties as a citizen and to respect the rights & freedoms of others.
The petitioner states that the Bill titled “Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution”, as a whole or in part, is in vehement infringement of many entrenched Articles of the Constitution and duly required 2/3 approval of the Parliament and the approval of the people at a referendum.
The Petitioner pleaded the Court to issue Notice on the Attorney General.
Also to determine and declare, that the Bill titled “TWENTIETH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION” in whole or in part thereof, is inconsistent with one or more Articles of the Constitution of the Republic.
To determine and declare, that the Bill titled “TWENTIETH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION” in whole or in part thereof, requires the 2/3 approval of Parliament. To determine and declare, that the Bill titled “TWENTIETH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION’ in whole or in part thereof, requires the approval by the people at a Referendum to the 2/3 approval of the Parliament .
To declare that any clause which is not included in the original bill gazetted, shall become law only upon strict compliance of the constitutional provisions and the standing orders of the Parliament.