Sri Lankan Parliament Passes Constitutional AmendmentSri Lanka's Parliament on Monday night passed the draft bill for the amendment of the constitution by the required two-third majority with the support of opposition parties, the official Daily News said on Tuesday.The total votes in favor of the bill were 208. The main United National Party, the leftist JVP or People's Liberation Front and the ruling People's Alliance voted for the bill while the lone member of the Sihala Uramaya (heritage) abstained form the voting. Fifteen members from three Tamil parties -- Tamil United Liberation Front, All Ceylon Tamil Congress and Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization -- were absent at the time of voting. This puts an end to one of the most controversial debates in Sri Lanka after weeks of bargaining and bickering. The debate seemed to have deadlocked with the two major parties refusing to concede to changes suggested by each other but finally a consensus was reached with government agreeing to accept opposition proposals. The bill provides for the establishment of a Constitutional Council which in turn will appoint four independent commissions for elections, justice, the police and the public service. The Constitutional Council will comprise five members jointly appointed by the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, including three members from the minority communities, a nominee of the president and a nominee of the small parties in Parliament while the prime minister, leader of the opposition and the speaker will act as ex-officio members. The amendment to the constitution is part of the conditions set in the agreement signed between the government and the JVP early this month, which has enabled the minority government to survive the political crisis it faced following the withdrawal of main Muslim Congress in June. |
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