• The 21A should be revised and approved by Parliament after which a referendum could be held

By Yohan Perera   

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday called for further revision of the proposed 21st Amendment to curtail more powers of the Executive President.   

 SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told journalists that his party had already informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesghe to revise the proposed legislation to prevent the President from holding any ministerial portfolio and to ensure that Parliament is allowed to elect a President.   

“We have also proposed some clauses pertaining to MPs who shift sides in Parliament. Accordingly we have proposed an amendment under which an MP who crosses over will be prevented from accepting any portfolio or any other reward for crossing over. Also we have proposed that only the Supreme Court could issue a stay order preventing disciplinary action against an MP by a political party in the event an MP shift sides,” he added.   
“ SJB has also informed Prime Minister that these amendments and others which make the 21st Amendment similar to the 19th Amendment which was intruded in 2015 . We told the Prime Minister that the 21st amendment should be revised and approved by Parliament and then hold a referendum at an appropriate time,” he also said.  Both Madduma Bandara and MP Talatha Athukorala said the SLPP is trying to isolate the incumbent Prime Minister. “ This was evident on how the SLPP acted during the election of the Deputy Speaker,” Ms. Athukorala said.