Sri Lanka to form a committee to discuss and finalize 20th amendment
May 28, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet spokesman said that, a committee will be formed including the President, Prime Minister, interested parties in the cabinet and minority party leaders to discuss and make a final decision regarding the 20th amendment to the constitution.
Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that President Sirisena submitted a cabinet paper of the proposal of 20th amendment with 15 suggestions which were discuss lengthily in the cabinet this week.
He said, there was a suggestion to increase the number of seats in the parliament from current 225 to 255 with a greater female participation.
“This suggestion was not based on any request by any parliament member of the government or any party,” Senaratne said.
“But to accommodate the minority parties and the small parties, to have more representation in the parliament.”
He said, accordingly the list of parliament members would be made from 165 polling divisions including multi member constitutions and the balance will be appointed through the national list and the preferential system in the districts.
The newly formed committee would finalize and will submit the new proposals of electoral reform to the cabinet next week, Senaratne said.
There were proposals to reduce the cut-off mark of level votes from current 5.0 percent to 1.0 or 1.5.
