Consensus emerging on constitutional, electoral reforms

Debate on 19A put off for Tuesday; Dissolution only after changes to elections are approved

Party leaders yesterday agreed to present the 19th amendment in parliament excluding the new changes, while including only the changes recommended by the Supreme Court.
Chief Opposition Whip W.D.J. Seneviratne said this decision was taken during a special party leaders’ meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also attended this meeting which was held under the patronage of the President.
Accordingly the draft bill of the 19th amendment which was previously due to be presented in parliament today, will be taken up for debate on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It was also decided that the draft bill of the 19th amendment which was previously scheduled to be presented tomorrow in parliament, would be taken for a debate on the 21st and 22nd of this month.
In addition, it was decided to present the amendments to the electoral system later in parliament.
Former Minister Wasudewa Nanayakkara stated that the 20th amendment including these changes will be presented in parliament prior to dissolving the parliament.
JVP stated that they will support the 19th constitutional amendment draft bill.