Attorney General Dappula De Livera has informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, the 20th Draft Amendment to the Constitution may be enacted in Parliament with a 2/3 majority in Parliament of all members.
Speaking to media, the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said the 20th Draft Amendment to the Constitution does not attract the holding of a referendum in terms of Article 83 of the constitution.
Article 83 of the Constitution :
83. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the provisions of Article 82 –
(a) a Bill for the amendment or for the repeal and replacement of or which is inconsistent with any of the provisions of Articles 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 or of this Article ; and
(b) a Bill for the amendment or for the repeal and replacement of or which is inconsistent with the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 30 or of, paragraph (2) of Article 62 which would extend the term of office of the President, or the duration of Parliament, as the case may be, to over six years,
shall become law if the number of votes cast in favour thereof amounts to not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present), is approved by the People at a Referendum and a certificate is endorsed thereon by the President in accordance with Article 80.
