Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms said that the 22nd constitutional amendment bill, which was prepared by repealing the 20th amendment and incorporating the positive clauses of the 19th amendment, will be submitted to the parliament on the 27th, Wednesday.
Thus, according to parliamentary standing orders, the bill can be debated one week after the first reading if it is not challenged before the Supreme Court.
The cabinet has approved the 22nd constitutional amendment bill. After that, the bill was published in a gazette on 24th June.
The ability of a person holding dual citizenship to be involved in governance activities has been blocked by this constitutional amendment bill. The amendment also states that a Sri Lankan citizen who is a citizen of another country should not be elected to the Parliament by popular vote.
It also states that if the Prime Minister resigns by sending a letter to the President with his own signature or if he is no longer a Member of Parliament, he is not eligible to hold his office.
The 22nd Amendment bill states that the Prime Minister will hold his position as long as the Cabinet remains active.
It also states that if the President is of the opinion that Parliament has lost confidence in the Prime Minister during the period starting from the effective date of this Act and when the Parliament is to be dissolved, the Prime Minister can be removed from office.
The 22nd Amendment states that the President should not make any appointment or assign or change subjects and tasks without consulting the Prime Minister.
It is stated that a minister can be removed by a letter sent under the signature of the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and any minister can resign from office by a letter with his signature sent to the President.
Chief Organizer of the ruling party, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, has said that President Ranil Wickramasinghe has instructed to submit the 22nd constitutional amendment to Parliament.
Accordingly, he said that the draft bill will be included in the parliamentary agenda.