Sri Lanka passes 20th Amendment for extension of President's powers

Columbo, Oct 26 : Sri Lankan Parliament recently passed the 20th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution which rolled back the 19th constitutional amendment. The amendment has expanded the powers of the Sri Lankan President and has further immunized the President politically.

 

The 20th amendment has been passed to over-rule the 19th amendment that had weakened the powers of the President which were initially expanded by the 18th amendment. The powers empowered to the President of Sri Lanka as per the 18th Amendment and now have been reconsidered under the 20th Amendment are that the President of Sri Lanka could seek a re-election any number of times, he could bring any independent commissions under his authority and that the 10-member Council of the Constitution will now be replaced with a 5-member council. It also allows the President to attend Parliament once in three months, which was originally not in accord to the President's powers.

 

According to the 20th Amendment, the President will get the power to dissolve the parliament after two years and six months once elected. The amendment has further empowered the President to appoint any person in government offices such as public services, election officials, human rights, police, corruption investigation commissions or bribery even without getting consent from members of the parliament.

 

This, however,will eventually weaken the powers of both, the Prime Minister as well as the Parliament. The amendment has the potential to create political differences between the Rajapaksha brothers in the coming future and has already created tension in Sri Lankan polity.