1 November 2022 12:00 am Views - 102
By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday endorsed the certificate on the 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill passed by a special majority in Parliament recently. Accordingly the Bill came into force from yesterday.
The Bill was presented to Parliament on August 10, 2022 by Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe while amendments were made as per the Supreme Court Determination.
At the end of the second reading on October 21, 179 members voted in favour and 1 vote against, 174 votes were in favour and one vote was against during the third reading vote.
The Bill provided provisions to set up the Constitutional Council which comprises Prime Minister, Speaker, Leader of Opposition and representatives of opposition parties. The legislation also prohibit those who hold duel citizenship to contest elections.