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18th Amendment on May 21
By Dilrukshi Handunnetti
Major constitutional amendments stripping the President of her absolute powers to dissolve or prorogue parliament and allowing MPs to cross over or cast a conscience vote will be presented in parliament on May 21, government sources said yesterday.

Under the present constitution, the President would have been able to arbitrarily dissolve parliament anytime after December 5 this year - one year after the general elections. But the 18th Amendment, which will require two-thirds majority to be enshrined in the constitution will require the President to seek the concurrence of the Speaker and the Prime Minister for any dissolution or prorogation.

The 18th Amendment will also provide for the establishment of 20 executive committees to launch a 'comprehensive, integrated and accelerated' development programme throughout the country. Cabinet ministers will head each committee and they will include MPs of all parties. The all-party executive committees will present policy documents to the cabinet and progress reports to parliament.

The 18th Amendment will also reintroduce Gramodaya Mandalayas through which district development funds would again be allocated to individual MPs who would be required to co-ordinate with the provincial ministers to ensure integrated development.

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