Sri Lankan Cabinet passes 21st Amendment aimed at empowering Parliament over President

Sri Lanka Cabinet on Monday passed the 121th amendment of the constitution aimed at empowering the country’s parliament over the executive president and will now be submitted in parliament, a top minister said.

The 121th amendment is expected to cancel 20A to the constitution, which gives unlimited power to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after eliminating the 19th amendment which will strengthen parliament.

“Amendment 21 is submitted and passed on in the cabinet today and will soon be submitted at @parliamentlk. Likes to thank @rw_unp and @wijerajapakshe for encouraging it,” Minister of Tourism and Land Harin Fernando Tweeted.

Objective 21A, among other reforms, except for double citizens from the election to hold public office.

Some of the Peramuna Party (SLPP) Sri Lanka Podujana (SLPP) who was in power was opposed to carrying 21A without overcoming the current economic crisis.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has fought for the 21st amendment to the constitution, by saying that he will curb unlimited presidential power while increasing the role of parliament in regulating the country that is ridden by debt which also faces political turmoil that has never happened before.

The strong Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their great victory in the general election in August 2020, which allowed them to change the constitution to restore the power of the president and install close family members in important positions.

Wickremesinghe was the main sponsor of the 19th amendment in 2015 which empowered parliament over the executive president.

Constitutional reform is a large board of agreement between Rajapaksa and Mr. Wickremesinghe when he took over the job of the Prime Minister on May 12.

Sri Lanka has wrestled with an unprecedented economic chaos since his independence from Britain in 1948.

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has created political riots with protesters who demanded the resignation of the President.

Under 21A, the President will be held accountable to the parliament.

The Ministerial Cabinet is also responsible to the parliament. The National Council is also responsible to parliament. Fifteen Committees and Supervision Committees are responsible to parliament.