SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne says that it is high time the government got on with the 21st Amendment Bill proposed by the SJB to parliament if it genuinely wants to bring a system change demanded by the people across the country.

He told a press conference held on Thursday at the Office of the Leader of Opposition, that the first reading of 21A was on May 17 and it is now before the Supreme Court to decide whether it is consistent with the constitution. By June 15, there would be a determination on whether it needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament and/or the people’s approval at a referendum.

Wickramaratne charged that contrary to this process the government is trying to push a hitherto unseen Bill, calling it the 21st Amendment. It actually should be the 23rd Amendment as already there are two Bills titled 21A and 22A proposing amendments to the Constitution.

The SJB proposal is 21A and the private member’s bill by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakashe has been listed as 22A. So the government proposal, when it is presented after having obtained the consensus among its coalition partners and cabinet approval in the future, will be titled as the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution.

Wickremaratne said that the government’s proposal is going to take a long time coming as there is no consensus yet within the governing party itself. It has a long way to go before the first reading, possibly by the end of June, before being considered by the Supreme Court.

There is a possibility that it could be presented in Parliament for the second reading after having gone through the administrative and judicial process earliest by August 9. This is unless the government in some way decides to block the passage of the SJB’s 21A. It could be approved earlier to find the desired solution to the deadlock in creating political stability in the country.

“This is the response to the agitation across the country for a systemec change and the abolishing of the executive presidency. That is why we have presented this Bill and we are telling the government that we are open to a referendum as the people’s will must be determined,” the MP said.