Courtesy The TelegraphOnLine

21st Amendment to the Constitution to be referred to the cabinet for approval on Monday.

Sri Lanka’s minister of justice has said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution will be referred to the cabinet for approval on Monday, a media report said on Sunday, paving the way to curb the unfettered powers of embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The 21st Amendment is expected to annul 20A, which gave unfettered powers to President Gotabaya after abolishing the 19th Amendment that had made Parliament powerful over the President.Advertisement

The amendment would make it impossible for those with dual citizenship to hold a seat in Parliament, the News First portal quoted minister of justice Dr Wijayadasa Rajapaksa as saying.

Gotabaya, who is facing growing demand for his resignation for mismanaging the country’s economy, had relinquished his US citizenship in April 2019 before contesting the presidential elections.

In addition to the existing Independent Commissions, the National Audit Commission and the Procurement Commission will be amended as Independent Commissions, the report said.

The Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions.