Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara on September 23, filed a Special Determination petition in Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the bill titled “Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution”, reports Daily News.The petitioner Ranjith Madduma Bandara had named the Attorney General as the respondent and seeking a declaration that the bill in whole or in part thereby requires the approval by people at a referendum and requires a two-third majority in Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a leading public policy research and advocacy think tank in Sri Lanka, and its Executive Director, Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu on September 23 filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the 20th Amendment to Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The CPA in its petition filed in terms of Articles 120 and 121 of the Constitution, states that the Bill can only be passed in Parliament with a special majority (2/3rds of the Members of Parliament) and with the approval of the people at a referendum. CPA argues that some provisions derogate the Sovereignty of the People, which has been guaranteed under Article 3 of the Constitution. Six petitions have been filed so far against the 20th amendment to the Constitution including TNA leader R. Sampanthan, Anil Kariyawasam and Nagananda Kodituwakku.
Separately, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) National Organiser Bimal Ratnayake on September 23 said matters related to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution should be resolved within the society as it was a political matter, reports Daily Mirror. “Even Government MPs asks us if the JVP was against 20A, why aren't we going to Courts. This is not something like punishing a thief. Court is not a place to check the validity of a Constitution. The Court is only checking the technical aspects related to a Constitutional Amendment. It is better to remind of the Supreme Court verdict on the 18th Amendment. The SC did not consider whether it was good or bad. This is a political matter and it should be resolved in society among the people,” he said.