Sri Lankan Cabinet passes 21st Amendment aimed at empowering Parliament over President
The Hindu
The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A to the Constitution, which gives unfettered powers to Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Sri Lankan Cabinet on Monday passed the 21st Amendment to its Constitution aimed at empowering the country’s Parliament over the Executive President and now it will be tabled in Parliament, a top Minister has said.
The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A to the Constitution, which gives unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment that will strengthen Parliament.
Also read | India has really helped us during this crisis: Ranil Wickremesinghe
"The 21 amendment was tabled and passed in Cabinet today and will be tabled in @ParliamentLK soon. Like to thank @RW_UNP and @wijerajapakshe for pushing it through," Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando tweeted.
The 21A aims, among other reforms, at barring dual citizens from contesting elections to hold public office.
A section of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party (SLPP) was opposed to bringing in 21A without addressing the current economic crisis.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had batted for the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, saying it will curb the president's unlimited powers while enhancing the role of Parliament in governing the debt-ridden country which is also facing an unprecedented political turmoil.
Russian tourist found dead in Uttarakhand hot spring, believed to have died of heart attack; body being sent to Russia.
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh join armed struggle in Myanmar, raising concerns of escalating violence and regional involvement.
Lebanese Shia Muslims suffer in Israel-Hezbollah war, fearing unfair targeting and escalating conflict across Lebanon.
President Joe Biden pardons turkeys Peach and Blossom, marking the start of his last holiday season at the White House.
President-elect Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China to combat illegal immigration and drugs.
State Department Spokesperson defers to Department of Justice on Adani indictment, leading to disruptions in Indian Parliament.
Justice Department drops case against Trump, citing policy against prosecuting sitting Presidents, ending landmark effort to hold him accountable.
Protests erupt in Dhaka demanding release of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das arrested for flag insult allegations.
The 29th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP29), held at Baku in Azerbaijan, is arguably the most important of the United Nations’ climate conferences. It was supposed to conclude on November 22, after nearly 11 days of negotiations and the whole purpose was for the world to take a collective step forward in addressing rising carbon emissions.
Global negotiations aim to create a U.N.-mediated treaty to end plastic pollution, with focus on production and management.
Jaishankar advocates for ceasefire in West Asia, supports two-state solution, emphasises importance of dialogue and diplomacy.