The Government will table the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament on September 22 and it will be included in the Parliament Order Book.
The Government on September 2 gazetted the 20th Amendment.
The proposed legislation will replace the 19th Amendment introduced by the former Yahapalana Government in 2015.
After a fortnight, following the publication of the Gazette notification, the 20th Amendment will be included in the Parliament Order Book on September 22. Parliamentary sources said after the 20th Amendment is tabled in Parliament on September 22, any citizen has the right to challenge its constitutionality in the Supreme Court by filing a petition within seven clear days from September 22.
If it is not challenged before courts, it can be taken up for the Second Reading debate after seven days.
If the 20th Amendment is challenged before the Supreme Court, it has to deliver its determination within 21 days from the date of the petition or petitions. However, if the Supreme Court delivers its determination on an earlier date, without taking 21 days, it can be taken up for the Second Reading debate and Parliament has to place this Amendment Bill in the Order Paper and it can be taken up for the Second Reading debate on a date agreed upon by the Parliament Business Committee.
Government sources said the parliamentary debate on the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution will be held during the first week of November this year. The Government hopes to debate the 20th Amendment and pass it in Parliament before the Budget. Budget 2021 will be presented in Parliament in the second week of November this year. Government sources said most probably a two or three-day debate will be held on the 20th Amendment on November 3, 4, 5 or 6. The sources said at present, nearly 10 Opposition MPs have pledged to extend support to the 20th Amendment adding that the discussions held with them by Government lawmakers were successful. Government lawmakers are optimistic that the Government could pass this piece of legislation in Parliament with a two-thirds majority as some Opposition MPs have already pledged support.