News
22-A Bill passed: Dual citizens can’t contest elections
By Saman Indrajith
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was passed in Parliament yesterday with a two thirds majority. The final vote on the bill received 174 votes in favour and none against.At the second reading stage vote, the Bill received 179 votes in favour and one vote against. Colombo District SLPP MP Rear Admiral (Retd)Sarath Weerasekera was the only MP who voted against the Bill.At the third reading vote MP Weerasekera abstained from voting.
Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and former Minister Namal Rajapaksa were among those who voted for the Bill.The vote originally scheduled to be taken at 5.30 pm yesterday was postponed until 6.15 pm as the debate dragged on. The Bill was debated on Thursday and Friday and over 50 MPs took part in it.
As per the 22nd Amendment, dual citizens are disqualified from contesting elections.Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe presented the Bill entitled, ‘Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution’ to amend the Constitution on Aug 10.
The Supreme Court cleared the Bill on 06 Sept., ruling that it could be adopted with a two-thirds majority in Parliament and some clauses required a national referendum. On the same day, announcing the Supreme Court decision, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene said the Bill could be adopted with a two-thirds majority in Parliament, and a nationwide referendum on clauses 2 and 3 that were inconsistent with the Constitution.
The Supreme Court recommended changes to help Parliament pass the Bill with only a special majority. The bill aims to restore independent commissions and curb some of the powers of the President.Interested parties were given time to petition the Supreme Court. There were 10 such petitions filed.
Participating in the debate yesterday Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said that the youth and protesters who had staged ‘Aragalaya’ deserved the credit and recognition for the enactment of the 22nd Amendment. Premadasa said the SJB would support the 22nd amendment, not because it offered a solution as such to the current crisis but because it was an improvement on the 20th amendment.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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