Basil fights back to save his political future as RW pushes for 21A today

27 May 2022 06:24 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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* The committee that drafted the amendment will also be present at the meeting today

In a move to push for the 21st amendment to be accepted by the party leaders today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will lobby for it at the party leaders' meeting at 3.30 pm today in order to reduce the powers of the President and also remove dual citizens from holding a parliamentary seat, which in turn will end Basil Rajapaksa's political career in Sri Lanka.

The party leaders who have already been given a draft of the 21st amendment for them to study can raise any proposals or objections on the clauses today so that a final draft can be prepared and submitted at the next cabinet meeting.

The committee that has drafted the 21st amendment will also be present at the meeting today afternoon to note the changes that will be proposed by the party leaders and incorporate them in the final draft.

The Daily Mirror learns that while SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa may not attend the meeting, he will send a representative to be present.

However, despite Mahinda Rajapaksa being the SLPP Leader, it is learnt that Basil Rajapaksa is the man now calling the shots among the majority in the party and is lobbying against the 21A so that he can save his political career in Sri Lanka. The SLPP is specifically trying to leave out clauses such as the abolition of the dual citizenship as well as the reduction of the President's powers on Basil's insistence and is aiming not to pass it when it is presented before the Parliament.

Other party leaders have already consented to the 21A but may propose some changes. However, all other leaders are of the view that the President's powers must be reduced as a way of further strengthening the Parliament as well as discontinuing dual citizens from holding future parliamentary seats.

Senior UNP sources have also requested law enforcement authorities to probe as to who carried out a protest outside the Prime Minister's Office yesterday, as the Gota Go Gama protesters had said it was not their protesters. UNP Seniors suspect and alleged that the SLPP was now trying to create protests against the Prime Minister in a way to pressure him against presenting the 21A.

If the 21A is approved by the party leaders today, even with the changes they propose, it will be presented to the cabinet again. Once approved by the cabinet of ministers, it will then be presented to Parliament for a vote.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is already in discussions with all party leaders to keep the two clauses on reducing the President's powers and the dual citizenship clause in order to minimise the Rajapaksas representation in the government. (JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 17

Chux Friday, 27 May 2022 06:35 AM

Country’s future is more important than Basil

Seqi Friday, 27 May 2022 06:35 AM

Dollars will talk.

sam Friday, 27 May 2022 12:56 PM

First get us the looted dollars. What is the problem going home where you have so many luxury houses.

GoHomeGota2022 Friday, 27 May 2022 06:52 PM

Kaputa we don't want you! shooo away scavenger

Lanka Friday, 27 May 2022 07:37 PM

Why on earth these Rajapakshas still in the news? They have RUINED the country and it's future and now Basil fighting for HIS future!!! We got to be out of our minds!

voter Friday, 27 May 2022 08:08 PM

people all have to teach the lot a lesson if they vote against this .... get ready

lal Friday, 27 May 2022 08:16 PM

Ranil is a foreign citizen in his mind too. What's the point.

Ramesh Friday, 27 May 2022 08:23 PM

Kick him out! Don't let the camel in the tent.

Buddhist Friday, 27 May 2022 08:29 PM

Simple question, why go through all this why won't SLPP respect the wishes of the people and remove Basil from the National List post?

dickie bird Friday, 27 May 2022 09:12 PM

Pass the 21A or Cancell the 20A. Parliamentarians stand up instead of looking for Basil's $$$$$$ Kick the Kaputa the American Agent OUT and cancel the LNG Project.

Sarath De Silva Friday, 27 May 2022 09:13 PM

Why don't they talk about impleminting Law nad order in this Country ?????

Cheers Saturday, 28 May 2022 03:47 AM

No to 21A remember what happened by Yahapalanaya ruined the majority and gave more powers to minority and they took powers in to their own hands and Easter carnage leaving 300 dead and he should be behind bars

Why keep this run away as FM Saturday, 28 May 2022 06:57 AM

Who is this Basil? We have enough QUALIFIED Sri Lankan will do a better job as a Finance Manager.

Shairaz Saturday, 28 May 2022 07:19 AM

This is a dream to pass the 21A

Sambo Saturday, 28 May 2022 07:19 AM

Basil should be kicked out loc.k stock and barrel.. He has no education and proved that while being the FM for a short while.

Rohan Ratnayake Saturday, 28 May 2022 07:24 AM

People dont want you so get off.

Triple Saturday, 04 June 2022 03:11 PM

No yanki in the parliament.

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Basil fights back to save his political future as RW pushes for 21A today

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