Sept 03, Colombo: The proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution has been submitted to the Department of Government Printing for gazetting.

Government Printer Gangani Kalpana Liyanage said the relevant gazette notification will be issued today (03).

Minister of Justice Ali Sabry presented the 20th Amendment to the Constitution to the Cabinet yesterday (02) and the Cabinet of Ministers have granted approval to present the legislation to the parliament.

The 20th Amendment is to be brought to overcome the shortcomings of the 19th Amendment. It is reported that except for the Right to Information (RTI) Act and the limitation of the term of office of the President to two terms, the 19th Amendment will be amended.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General Dappula de Livera has informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice yesterday (2) that the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution does not require a referendum and that it can be passed by a two-thirds majority of the total number of Members of Parliament

The Ministry of Justice had submitted the draft 20th Amendment to the Constitution to the Attorney General for his opinion.

Expressing his views, the Attorney General has further stated that the Bill pertaining to the 20th Amendment does not present any facts relevant to a referendum under Article 83 of the Constitution.

Accordingly, in accordance with Article 82 (5) of the Constitution, the Bill could be passed by a two-thirds majority of the total number of Members of Parliament, the Attorney General said in a statement.