Positives of 19th Amendment including RTI to be retained

The Government has decided to retain positive aspects of the 19^th Amendment to the Constitution including the Right to Information Act,  limiting the President’s term to five years and retaining the maximum number of terms to serve as President to two.

Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella and co-cabinet spokesman Udaya Gammanpila briefed journalists on the highlights of the first cabinet meeting during which it was decided to scrap the 19^th Amendment by introducing the 20^th Amendment and other decisions were taken regarding other amendments to the Constitution.

A five-member cabinet sub committee consisting of Ministers G.L.Peiris, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Dinesh Gunawardena, Udaya Gammanpila and Ali Sabri were appointed to submit any proposals or cabinet papers regarding the constitutional changes.

A separate expert committee is to be appointed by Justice Minister Sabri regarding the further changes to the Constitution or on the introduction of a new constitution. 

“We have empowered the Justice minister to draft the 20^th Amendment . After he submits it to the Cabinet we will decide on what should be included “, Minister Gammanpila said.

“We have no time frame,  but hope to introduce it to Parliament soon”, Minister Gammanpila said in reference to the 20^th Amendment. 

Meanwhile Minister of Power Dullas Alhapperuma submitted a note to the Cabinet that a committee is currently studying the issues that led to the major power failure on Monday and after the findings are made available the cabinet will be informed.