PARLIAMENT

The twenty-second Constitution (Amendment) Bill was passed today (Oct. 21) by a 2/3 majority in Parliament.

A division was called for the Second Reading of the Bill for which a vote was held. Accordingly, 179 votes were cast in favor of it and 1 vote was cast against. Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera voted against the Bill.

Amendments were added to the Bill during the committee stage in accordance with the Supreme Court's determination related to the petitions filed. At the vote for the Third Reading, 174 votes were cast in favor of it and 1 vote cast against.

Accordingly, the twenty-second Constitution (Amendment) Bill was passed by a 2/3 majority in Parliament with amendments.

The twenty-second Constitution (Amendment) Bill was presented to Parliament on August 10th, 2022 by Minister Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. Thereafter, amendments were made at the Ministerial Consultative Committee in accordance to the Supreme Court determination pertaining to the petitions filed against it, to which approval was granted.

Accordingly, yesterday (20) and today (21), the debate for the Second Reading of the twenty-second Constitution (Amendment) Bill was held.

As per the instructions of the Hon. Speaker, The Secertary General of Parliament informed that the vote cast against was mentioned as abstained due to an error of delay during the announcement of the results of the Third Reading poll.