Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti has rejected claims that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent remarks on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution undermine the independence of the judiciary.
Speaking during a television programme on Monday night (7), Handunnetti said certain groups were misinterpreting the President’s statement that the 22nd Amendment Bill would be passed in Parliament expeditiously following the Supreme Court’s determination.
The President made the remarks during a public rally in Bulathsinhala, prompting criticism from several opposition politicians, who questioned whether the government was seeking to rush the constitutional amendment through Parliament before the Supreme Court determination was known.
Responding to concerns that the President’s statement could undermine public confidence in the judiciary, Handunnetti said there was no such intention.
He explained that regardless of the Supreme Court’s determination, the Bill would ultimately require approval by a two-thirds majority in Parliament. If the Court determines that a referendum is also required, the amendment would have to proceed through that process as well.
Handunnetti said the President’s reference to passing the Bill “expeditiously” was only about the parliamentary process and did not mean that the government would disregard any requirement imposed by the Supreme Court.
“If the Supreme Court says a referendum is needed, there is no issue with that,” he said, arguing that there was no contradiction between the President’s remarks and the constitutional procedure.
The Minister maintained that the government would proceed with the amendment in accordance with the Supreme Court’s determination and the constitutional requirements governing its passage.
