தவறவிடாதீர்கள்..!உடனே பதிவு செய்யுங்கள்

By N. Thanuja

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated yesterday that while the government maintains that the 22nd Amendment does not contain provisions requiring a national referendum, the Supreme Court will make the final determination on whether it requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority or a public referendum.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet decision briefing at the Department of Government Information, Minister Jayatissa responded to queries regarding opposition and Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) objections to the bill presented in Parliament on Tuesday.

"Our position is that the 22nd Amendment does not trigger a referendum requirement. However, the Supreme Court is the ultimate authority to decide whether a twothirds majority in Parliament is sufficient or if a referendum is necessary, and the government will act strictly in accordance with the court's determination," Dr. Jayatissa stated.

Clarifying discussions held with the Chief Prelates (Mahanayaka Theros) of the Buddhist Sects, the Minister stated that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake directed himself and Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to brief the Prelates directly regarding their written query. He affirmed that following the explanation, the Mahanayaka Theros understood that the amendment is aimed at clearing long-standing judicial backlogs and restructuring the judicial framework rather than extending the term of any single individual. He added that parliamentary debate on the bill is expected to take place in early to mid-September.