Govt considers changes to 20A during committee stage

The government is reported to be considering the incorporation of certain changes to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution during the committee stage of the debate.

Although Cabinet approval has been given to the bill titled ‘20th Amendment to the Constitution’. there is dissension among some government members on some of the provisions such as the restriction on the size of the Cabinet, the scrapping of the National Audit Commission and that of removing the ban on dual citizens becoming parliamentarians.

Some 14 government members are reported to have expressed different views on the 20A.

A constitutional amendment can be passed into law in Parliament only by a two-thirds majority. Therefore, the government is compelled to accommodate viewpoints of all its members. (Kelum Bandara)