22nd Amendment to Constitution passed

• 174 members voted in favour during the third reading
• Some 20 members from the ruling party are out of the country
• Dual citizens can no longer become MPs

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

The 22nd Amendment to the constitution was approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament, pruning some powers of the Executive President.

Altogether, 174 members voted in favour of it during the third reading, while no one voted against. One member abstained from voting. The second reading was approved by 179 members and one against. 

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga were among the absentees.

The 22nd Amendment prevents those who are with dual citizenship to represent Parliament, thus preventing former Minister Basil Rajapaksa to return to Parliament.  

Amendments proposed by MPs M. L. A. M Attaullah on safeguarding the interests of minorities and by MP Madura Withanage on compiling a code of conduct for the members of independent commissions were rejected by the government, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said these have already been included in the Bill.
It was said that some 20 members from the ruling party are out of the country. 

• Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga were among the absentees