Several petitions filed against 21A

BY Lakmal Sooriyagoda

Several Special Determination petitions have been filed before Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the proposed 21st amendment to the constitution. Several petitioners including Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and Anil Amarasekara had filed these petitions naming the Attorney General as respondent. The petitioners are seeking a declaration that the bill requires the approval by people at a referendum and requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament. 

The petitioners alleged that the proposed 21st Amendment would affect the sovereignty of the people recognized under Article 3 and 4 of the constitution as it attempts to curtail the powers of the President.
The draft bill of the 21st amendment was presented to Parliament by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara . Additional Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva appearing for the Attorney General yesterday informed Supreme Court that bill requires the approval by people at a referendum.   

The petitioners alleged that the proposed 21st Amendment would affect the sovereignty of the people recognized under Article 3 and 4 of the constitution as it attempts to curtail the powers of the President. The draft bill of the 21st amendment was presented to Parliament by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara . Additional Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva appearing for the Attorney General yesterday informed Supreme Court that bill requires the approval by people at a referendum.