SC concludes hearings of 20th Amendment

The Supreme Court today concluded the hearing of the petitions related to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

The determination will now be sent to the Speaker and the President.

Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera concluding submissions defended the proposed amendments saying that it strengthens the opportunity to have free and fair elections and the argument that the judicial powers have been clipped was not correct.

He also argued the protecting the immunity of the President will enable him to carryout out his duties freely without any restrictions.

The AG said that power for the President to dissolve Parliament two and half years after the elections helps to protect the sovereignty of the people as fresh elections could be called for if the system was not operating in a satisfactory manner.

Under the proposed 20A the President was to be given the power to dissolve Parliament one year after elections are held,  but the AG informed courts that during the Committee stage amendments will be moved to increase to two and a half years.

Under the 19th Amendment the President could dissolve Parliament only after four and a half years.