• 174 MPs say yes for key move in bipartisan gesture; SLPP MP Sarath Weerasekara refuses to vote yes
• Opposition Leader says ‘Aragalaya’ must be given due credit for 22A being pushed through 
• AKD claims passing of 22A by those who voted to replace 19A is an irony of fate 

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was passed in Parliament with 174 members of Parliament voting in favour. 

Only Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Sarath Weerasekara voted against it. 

Speaking in Parliament, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the youth and protestors of the ‘Aragalaya’ should be given the due credit and recognition for ensuring the reform is pushed through Parliament. 

He said: “Even though the 22nd Amendment is not a solution at present but it is better than the 20th Amendment to the Constitution,” he said. Premadasa claimed the misuse of Executive powers and the egotism derived from a 2/3rds majority of the government led to  the downfall of the country.  National People’s Power Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said it is an irony of fate that those who voted yes for the 21st Amendment to the Constitution have been forced to vote for the 22nd Amendment which replaces it as well. “This Parliament is full of remarkable people who raise their hands to remove an Amendment only to once again raise their hands to reintroduce the same,” he noted. 

Commenting on the vote on 22A, former President and Sri Lanka Freedom Party Chairman Maithripala Sirisena said the party voted yes for the reform as it would re-establish the audit commission and block those with dual citizenship from engaging in the governance of the country. He also said the party is pleased that salient features of the constitutional reforms introduced during his tenure as President have also been included in the Amendment. 

The Constitutional Amendment is expected to empower Parliament over the Executive President and annul the 20A to the Constitution, which had given unfettered powers to the President after abolishing the 19th Amendment.

Under the 22A, the President, the Cabinet of Ministers and the National Council will be held accountable to the Parliament. 15 Committees and Oversight Committees are also accountable to Parliament.

The 22nd Constitutional Amendment comprises features of both the 19th Amendment introduced by the Yahapalana Government and the 20th Amendment brought forth under the presidency of MPMPS

22A a ‘great victory’ for those who value democracy: Karu