Key features of 22nd amendment highlighted

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s newly proposed 22nd amendment to the constitution, while being based on the 19th amendment, will transcend the latter’s democratic features while also retaining the more progressive aspects of the 20th amendment, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said.

In a press briefing, Rajapakshe summarised some key features of the proposed amendment.

“The basic features of the 19th amendment are all there. Mainly, reestablishing the Constitutional Assembly which has the power to approve appointments of High Court judges and higher government officials, and appoint members to Commissions,” he said.

Unlike in the 19th amendment, he said, the three members of the Constitutional Assembly from parliament would not be selected by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.

Instead, one member will be appointed by and of the ruling party, one by and of the main opposition, and one member from the majority appointment from and of the other parties.

The three civilian members of the Constitutional Council will be appointed by the Speaker with the approval of parliament without intervention by the Prime Minister or Opposition Leader.

“As in the 19th amendment, the Police Commission, Public Service Commission, Election Commission and Bribery Commission will be independent institutions,” he said.

The Public Procurement Commission and Audit Services Commission, which were dissolved by the 20th Amendment, will be re-established by the 22nd Amendment.

“These Commissions were established because most corruption in the governing process happens during audits and procurement processes,” said Rajapakshe.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is to be appointed by the President with the approval of the Constitutional Council.

“There was justified discourse surrounding the appointment of the Central Bank Governor,” said Rajapakshe.