Colombo
June 21, 2022
The Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved the 21st Amendment, which repeals Article 20 of the Constitution, which gives the President unrestricted powers. The 21st Amendment repeals Article 20 (a) of the Constitution, which empowers President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa after the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which strengthens Parliament.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said the amendment had been submitted to the cabinet for approval and passed. He added that it would be tabled in Parliament soon for a vote. The president will now be accountable to the cabinet, the National Council and parliament.
The amendment also added that any new bill must be referred to the Supreme Court to ensure its constitutional validity.
A section of the Sri Lankan public had protested against the amendment before the financial crisis was resolved. When he became the Prime Minister, constitutional reform was a key component of the agreement between Vikramasinghe and Gotabhaya. President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Renil Wickremesinghe and External Affairs Minister GL Peiris had separate discussions on the issue. The 21st Amendment was submitted for approval, including suggestions from the opposition and other political parties.
In 2015, the then Prime Minister Renil Wickremesinghe enacted the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. The 19th Amendment removes the President’s discretion to expel the Prime Minister and Ministers. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who came to power in 2019, repealed the 19th Amendment.
Later in 2020, the 20th Amendment increased the executive powers of the President.
The amendment also empowered the President to make important appointments to independent institutions. It was only after the amendment was passed that the Rajapaksa brothers’ next of kin were appointed to key positions.
English summary; 21st Amendment to the Constitution
Approved by the Sri Lankan Cabinet
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