The Supreme Court has concluded the consideration of petitions filed challenging the draft bill of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

It was announced that the decision of the court will be sent to the President and the Speaker of the Parliament in due course, stated Ada Derana reporter.

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya stated in open court that the secret decision of the Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of the draft amendment will be referred to the President and the Speaker of Parliament.

During the hearing, Attorney General Dappula de Livera stated that all the provisions contained in the draft of the 20th Amendment are in accordance with the Constitution.

Pointing out that the President is bound to ensure free and fair elections in accordance with the Constitution, the Attorney General stated that the proposed 20th Amendment bill has expanded that responsibility and provides the Elections Commission with a strong legal basis for free and fair elections.

The Attorney General pointed out that the 20th Amendment proposes to reinstate the President’s immunity lost under the 19th Amendment Act, which will enable the President to exercise his executive powers vested in him by the Constitution without hindrance.

He further emphasized that there was no need to refer to a referendum to approve any of the provisions contained in the draft as a whole.

In conclusion, Attorney General Dappula de Livera stressed in court that the draft could easily be passed by a two-thirds majority in parliament without a referendum.

Subsequently, the court directed the parties involved in the case to submit their written submissions, if any, before 3 pm tomorrow (06).

Consideration of the petitions commenced for the fourth day this morning (05) before the five-member judge bench chaired by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. The bench consists of Supreme Court justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardhane, and Vijith Malalgoda.

Thirty-nine petitions in total were filed against the draft bill of the 20th Amendment, citing the Attorney General as the respondent.

The petitions have been put forward by Election Commission member Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Youth Wing Chairman Mayantha Dissanayake and Attorney-at-Law P. Liyanaarachchi of the Sirilaka Janatha Peramuna, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), former Governor and Executive Director of the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Ranjith Keerthi Tennakoon, human rights activist Abdul Zanoon and many others.

Meanwhile, Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Gamini Lokuge and Prof. GL Peiris have filed interlocutory petitions seeking permission to present cross-submissions pertaining to the petitions challenging the 20th Amendment draft bill.

In addition, MPs Sagara Kariyawasam, Venerable Omare Kassapa Thera, M. Dayaratne, W.A. Weerathilake and P.G.B. Abeyratne also filed interlocutory petitions.