Cabinet clears 21st Amendment

• To be sent to Legal Draftsman for clearance
• Once done, it will be presented to Parliament
• The bill seeks to prune presidential powers to be vested with Parliament
• Has to be approved by two-thirds of Parliament 

By Kelum Bandara 

The Cabinet gave clearance to the 21st Amendment to the Constitution yesterday evening ahead of its presentation in Parliament for enactment later, a Minister said.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Daily Mirror that it would be sent to the Legal Draftsman for his clearance. Once that is done, it will be presented to Parliament.

 The new bill seeks to prune presidential powers to be vested with Parliament. 

It has to be approved by two-thirds of Parliament since it is a constitutional amendment. 

The bill, if enacted, will provide for the setting up of the constitutional council to nominate members to the independent commissions. 

It is primarily to reintroduce the 19th Amendment.