The Draft Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution has been gazetted and published yesterday.
Several key clauses in the 19th Amendment have been repealed giving more power to the President.
The draft 20th Amendment proposes to restore full legal immunity to the President, removing the provisions made in the 19th amendment to take legal action against the President.
Under the 19th amendment any citizen was allowed to file a case against the Attorney General in respect of anything committed by the President.
The Constitutional Council that appointed members to independent commissions would be replaced with a parliamentary council, according to the draft. The President has been empowered to appoint members to independent commissions after obtaining approval from the parliamentary council which will consist of the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition and two nominees of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition who are Members of Parliament.
The President will be part of the Cabinet and will act as the head of the Cabinet of Ministers. The President also has powers to take over any ministerial portfolios or departments under his purview.
The draft 20th Amendment will be presented in parliament in two weeks for debate and passage. According to the Attormey general, the bill needs a two-third majority to be passed.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
