The tabling of the proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow (23) has been delayed on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, sources said.
The proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution revoking the existing 20th Amendment to the Constitution for the reenactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was about to be tabled at the Cabinet by new Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa tomorrow.
However, President Rajapaksa during a meeting with the members of the Ruling Party SLPP stated that the tabling of the proposed amendment shall not take place, in what he described as the ‘necessity’ to have it reviewed by the Department of Legal Drafts via the Attorney General, according to sources.
The draft 21A should be referred to former Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC for further study, the President emphasised during the meeting.
Accordingly, the President’s suggestion has been approved by the SLPP and the submission of the proposed 21A to the Cabinet, therefore, will further be delayed.
MIAP