News
Speaker announces S C determination on 20A
By Saman Indrajith
The Supreme Court had determined that the Bill titled ‘Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution’ could pass in Parliament with a two-thirds majority without going for a referendum provided that the inconsistencies in four clauses therein were amended, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced in Parliament, yesterday (20).
Making the announcement, the Speaker said: “I wish to announce that I have received the determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled ‘Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution’ which has been challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.
“The Supreme Court has determined as follows: the Bill complies with the provisions of the Article 82 (1) of the Constitution; requires to be passed by a special majority specified in Article 82 (5) of the Constitution; Clauses 3, 5, 14 and 22 in their present form are inconsistent with the Article 3 read with Article 4 of the Constitution and therefore require approval by the people at a referendum by virtue of the provisions of Article 83.
“However, such inconsistency in Clauses 3 and 14 would cease by amending in accordance with the proposed committee state amendments and the inconsistency in Clause 5 would cease if Clause 5 is suitably amended as specified in the determination.
“I order that the determination of the Supreme Court be printed in the official report of today’s proceedings.”
Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella: The Supreme Court has approved some amendments. Will the MPs get those amendments?
Speaker: Yes, they should have already been provided to you.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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