News
2/3 for 20A: Sirisena skips vote
Eight Opp. MPs back govt.
By Saman Indrajith
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in Parliament, last night, with 156 MPs voting for it; 65 MPs voted against it.
The government easily secured a two-thirds majority in the 225-member Legislature for the passage of the constitutional amendment, which will restore the executive powers which the 19th Amendment removed from the President.
All government members save one voted for the Bill, and several Opposition MPs joined them.
Differences that had cropped up among some of the constituent parties of the SLPP were ironed out at the last minute after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Vasudeva Nanayakakra, who had publicly voiced their opposition to the section for allowing dual citizens to enter Parliament.
They voted for the Bill including the dual citizenship provision after the President gave an undertaking that such provisions would not be there in the new Constitution to be framed.
SJB Anuradhapura District MPs Ishak Rahuman and MS Thowfeek, National List MP Dayana Gamage, Digamadulla MPs HMM Harees and Faizal Cassim, Badulla District MP A. Aravindh Kumar, SLMC Batticaloa District MP Naseer Ahamad and MNA Puttalam District MP AS Raheem voted with the government.
SLFP leader former President Maithripala Sirisena was a notable absentee in the House.
When the second reading stage vote was taken, the Bill received 156 votes for and 65 votes against.
The SJB, NPP, TNA and several other Opposition MPs from different independent parties voted against the Bill.
The final vote was taken last night at the end of the two-day debate on the Bill, which has been strongly opposed by opposition lawmakers but also by members of the Buddhist and catholic/Christian clergy, and civil society groups.
During the third reading of the Bill (committee stage) the government introduced several amendments, some in keeping with the determination of the Supreme Court and others suggested by some government members.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella asked for a division on the clause on permitting duel citizens to enter parliament, and when that particular clause was put to vote it received 157 votes for and 64 votes against.
Latest News
Minor flood situation likely to occur within the next few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River
Based on the heavy rainfall currently being received in the Kalu River Basin and the analysis of water level data recorded at hydrological gauging stations maintained by the Irrigation Department within the Kalu River Basin, it is hereby warned that a Minor Flood Situation is likely to occur within the next
few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River.
The affected areas include the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Elapatha, Kiriella in Ratnapura District.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists and passengers travelling through the affected regions, are strongly requested to act with utmost vigilance and to take all necessary
precautions. Disaster Management Authorities are requested to take necessary actions in this regard.
A considerable rainfall has occurred in the catchment areas of the Aththanagalu Oya Basin as atb5.00 AM today (22).
By analyzing the current rainfall situation and river water levels of Hydrological Stations on the Aththanagalu Oya, there is a possibility of a flood situation occuring in some low lying
areas of the Aththanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys situated in Diwulapitiya, Mirigama, Attanagalla, Mahara, Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Ja-ela, Katana and Wattala Div8sional Secretaries Divisions within next 48 hours.
Owing to this situation, there is a possibility of some of the roads running through these lowlying areas being inundated at some places.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists traveling through these regions, are requested to exercise extreme caution regarding this situation.
A significant rainfall of nearly 300 mm has been recorded in the upper catchment areas of the Kelani River Basin.
Based on this weather condition and the analysis of water level data from the hydrological gauging stations maintained by the Irrigation Department within the Kelani River Basin, a warning is hereby issued that a Minor Flood Situation is likely to occur within the next 24 hours in the low-lying areas of the Kelani River valley belonging to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ruwanwella,Seethawaka, Dompe, Dehiovita, Eheliyagoda, Yatiyantota, and Bulathkohupitiya.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists traveling through these regions, are requested to exercise extreme caution regarding this situation.
Furthermore, if heavy rains persist, this flood situation could extend to the low-lying areas of the Kelani River valley downstream of Hanwella.
Disaster Management authorities are requested to take necessary actions in this regard.
Minor flood situation likely to occur within the next few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River
Flood warning issued to low lying areas of the Aththanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys
Flood warning issued to low lying areas of the Kelani River valley
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Gampaha, Kalutara and Ratnapura
President’s Fund to consider scholarships for children of low-income lottery sellers
Showers above 200 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
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