Parliament today adopted the 19th Amendment to the constitution.
In the third reading of the 19th Amendment, two hundred and fifteen (212) Members of Parliament (MPs) voted for the amendment while only one, MP Sarath Weerasekara voted against it. MP Ajith Kumara abstained the voting while ten Members of Parliament were absent. Three MP’s who voted for the second reading of the amendment, including DM Jayaratne were absent.
Updated 10.00PM
Parliament today passed the second reading of the 19th Amendment.
Two hundred and fifteen (215) Members of Parliament (MPs) voted for the amendment while only one, MP Sarath Weerasekara voted against it. MP Ajith Kumara abstained the voting while seven Members of Parliament, Basil Rajapaksa, Premalal Jayasekera, Janaka Priyantha Bandara, Dr. Jagath Balasuriya, Keheliya Rambukwella, Ven. Ellawela Medhananda and Susantha Punchinilame were absent.
MP Sarath Weerasekara voted against the amendment while MP Ajith Kumara abstained from voting. The government agreed to the SLFP move to dilute the composition of the Constitutional Council. The SLFP proposed to include 7MPs to the constitutional council with 3 non MPs. The Constitutional Council as proposed by the 19th Amendment would be a representative body reflecting the views of diverse groups in Parliament and would be apolitical in so far as the seven non ex-officio persons who are not politicians and are distinguished in public or professional life.
President Maithripala Sirisena’s address to the Parliament during second reading of the 19th Amendment to the constitution;
gogomahinda / April 28, 2015
They need politics (money) as a leech needs blood.
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Bandula J / April 29, 2015
[Edited out]
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sarrij / April 28, 2015
v good temporary and needed change but the culture of impunity still prevails.Sobita thero deserves most of the credit for the present change.Hopefully his decent advocacy of fairness will bring in long term rewards.
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Piranha / April 28, 2015
Wonderful news!
Another nail in the coffin of Rajapaksa’s dream of a comeback to power.
Long live all those who fought the second battle to liberate Sri Lanka’s people from dictators like JR and Rajapaksa.
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Joseph De Vazz-Mahanuwara / April 29, 2015
Mahinda Rajapakse can now rest in peace at his Medamulla Residence and allow the President Sirisena to rule the country for another 5 years.
Passing of the 19 Amendment is a defeat to Rajapakse and his henchmen.
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Anon69 / April 28, 2015
I am seriously impressed by Ranil’s leadership and determination on this matter. Good job bro.
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 29, 2015
He outsmart MR at the post… He is a cunning fox and a leader who should have been born in Europe like Hirunika said sometime back…But now that he has some say in the governance good things will come our way… God Bless Sri-Lanka.. while we send to jail the wrong doers along with those who de faced the National flag and waved in public.. Architect of this is Gommanpila, this is the 3rd time he has been around the defaced flag, so this is NOT an accident… but carefully planned out… send him to Jail ! along with his masters…
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burt / April 29, 2015
“The government agreed to the SLFP move to dilute the composition of the Constitutional Council.”
Considering the quality of politicians the parliament has and what history has shown as to who gets appointed a major part of 19A has been made worthless bringing it close to Parliamentary council of 18A.
Having 7 parliamentarians and 3 independent non MP professionals is just stupid, it should be the other way around. Politicians only objective is to get re-elected even if the country goes to hell in a hand basket.
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Lankan / April 29, 2015
Yes, shouldn’t have given into those crooks. I hope such flaws will be rectified by the next Government…hope..the crooks of SLFP won’t form it I hope
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Plato. / April 29, 2015
Great.A holiday should be declared,since the Gvt:has brought the baby 19A OUT WITH A CAESAREAN operation.Any delay would have put Mother and Baby in danger!
Perhaps,Prof:Kumar David can now highlight the defects;After all he pioneered the single issue common candidate to bring about the change.
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K.A Sumanasekera / April 29, 2015
So Rt Hon MPs Dr Mervyn Silva, Mr Duminda Silva, Mr Bathudeen, and several other gentlemen with service par excellence to our great majority are with the new Ali Baba and the 80 mates.
Will they reshuffle the deck chairs to reward these gentle for another 2 years?..
Budusaranai to our Sobitha and Jathika Hela Urumaya….
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burt / April 29, 2015
“So Rt Hon MPs Dr Mervyn Silva, Mr Duminda Silva, Mr Bathudeen, and several other gentlemen with service par excellence to our great majority are with the new Ali Baba and the 80 mates.’
Weren’t these the same “Thotha baba’s” that you were cuddling and singing lullabies to under your previous govt. Is it hurting to see the Royals getting Royally screwed?
“Will they reshuffle the deck chairs to reward these gentle for another 2 years?..”
They will be expecting that for sure because that was the norm in the previous govt but I don’t think its going to happen.
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Jabberwocky / April 29, 2015
burt – nothing should surprise you about the inane dithering of HLDM’s alter ego, desperate to get his idol MR back in the saddle and hope for more crumbs to be thrown his way. Poor sap, his days are done!
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Peace Lover / April 29, 2015
is K A Sumanasekera (m) none other that our old comedian HLDM?
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Some / April 29, 2015
Kicked the Dictator out of power, over turned the government, got 215 legislators to support constitutional changes, ran a successful 100 day program, got Sri Lanka back on international good books, postponed UN probe, killed political careers of bunch of dick heads.
Ranil ta Ba.
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Gowdilyan.prof / April 29, 2015
Now many guys in the country would have realized the capacity of RW. Being a good historian he knows the pulse of the politicians in the country. Only a section of poor citizens misguided by these guys could not understood him properly. .See those guys who voted for the 18th amendment, now changed their behavior. They supported the 18th only because of the fear for the thuggery politics of MARAs, white vans, greese Devils etc. if not no one else would have supported the 18th. The contribution made by JHU need to be remembered greatfully at this hour.
The great role of the present President MIthiripala Sirisena the real Stateman of our era to be marked in golden letters in the History of Srilanka.
Even that grat liar prior to come to power spoke of reducing the power of the Presidecy. Once became made it on the contrary.
Will at least these greedy liars robbed the country now realize what really people want for this nation. Under the prevailed circumstances innocent public believed these rogues, who skillfully made use of it, to rob the country with the Support of some samarasekalala who look for perks for their support given to these guys.
Gowdilya.
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Agnos / April 29, 2015
You are forgetting the Tamil and Muslim voters who played a critical role in electing Sirisena as well.
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Goraka / April 29, 2015
What a man, this Sirisena guy!
A true leader of people, a true Sri Lankan indeed.
He gave up his powers so Sri Lankans would be safe from corrupt politicians in future. He made hate speech a crime. He made police, judiciary, etc., independent. He is relentlessly pursuing the return of robbed wealth belonging to Sri Lankans.
I salute you, SIR!
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Colorado / April 29, 2015
These [Edited out]; MR, GotA, BR and Namal thought they will never loose an election. They took the Treasury to the cleaners with their Buddies. Long live MY3 RW for saving the nation for the born and unborn children. May the triple gem bless the Govt.
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bo / April 29, 2015
Where is Sumaney?
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Rajes / April 29, 2015
Well done Mr President. Congratulations.
Also please let us not forget the magnificent role played by Ranil from behind and in front of the sciences from the time the presidential election was declared. CBK, our hero Sobitha Thero, Kumar and many others played their part well. Yet the play is still on. Let’s wait for the climax before the standing ovation commences.
By the way where is our All Time Political Scintist DJ (Disc Jockey playing others’ music?)
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Chandrasiri / April 29, 2015
The courage and dedication shown by the president and the PM admirable.Although the amendment was diluted by the opposition bringing in Political goons to the council.This is the first step and as promised by PM let this constitution be changed after next election.The dreams to sabotage this failed.The efforts taken by Ven.Sobitha Ven Ratana thero Champika,JVP,TNA Muslim Congress to achieve this is to be remembered by our Nation forever.The statesmanship shown by Hon.President cannot be matched.
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Jagath Fernando / April 29, 2015
Well done MS
MR gone for good.
Jayawewa!!!!!
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shankar / April 29, 2015
Jayawewa
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Mallaiyuran / April 29, 2015
Those who Overwhelmingly voted to 18A now have voted for the 19A. Not one single person has changed from those who voted for 18A. It is the dupe masters. They are ever ready to repeal 19A and vote for 21A if that will secure their pension plan. The major parties did not campaign to vote for the betterment of the country. New King threatened no seat in SLFP if voted against the 19A. UNP kept threatening of dissolving the parliament.
The basic part, the education, that is needed to accountability and responsibility did not take place. Hakeem who ordered from America to for the Devilnegumba has not apologized for that even after small brother prince is arrested for that Devilnegumba robberies. He for his private benefits watered down the 13A by voting for Devilnegumba. Now he has voted for 19A. Is he ready to face Kumari Cooray case or has pledged uncontested support for UNP.
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Gamarala / April 29, 2015
Congratulations Mr President.
Born to a common family and elected as Head of State with extreme powers, Your actions since the election are a great example for the other politicians in Sri Lanka.
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xlntgson / April 29, 2015
Good hope! The difference between 215 and 152 shows how many law makers really can make laws; they were on the fence till the last moment i.e., the first vote and at last went with the crowd! The persuasive speech of the president is applaudable. One member against might have really wanted to quit politics proved his desire so. I don’t really discern what this abstention means, neuter or neutral? Appointing partymen to independent bodies may be a temporary measure, transitional, to do away with party rivalries or for that matter inner party rivalries (!)
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AM / April 29, 2015
In 2012 when I was in Sri Lanka I met one of my Tamil friend who happened to be a very respected and famous gold jewelry dealer in Kandy.We were discussing about the general situation of the country after the war.He simply said that being Tamils they would never wanted another war and he respected MR for finishing the war.The guy was very genuine when he said that and he was a well known man in the city of Kandy.But what he said in the end was some thing I never paid any interest up until yesterday as I now recall.He said he met an Indian astrologer in India and he mentioned to him that a person from an ancient city would turn up with in next two years and beat the present leader and change the entire political system with in few years.So this is it perhaps???
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seriously / April 30, 2015
you did not ask him to buy the Euro £10 million min lottery then??
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Goraka / May 1, 2015
An astrologer brought MR’s presidency to an early end by promising him victory. Another one predicted an election victory for a man from an “ancient city.”
Ancient city is a general term, can mean any city.
If astrolgers can predict future, why are they so poor?
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Vanguard / April 29, 2015
Could CT publish what was in the final version of the 19th amendement that was passed? We are celebrating we do not know what. It is still not on the government website.
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Pygmalion / April 29, 2015
Mallaiyuran.
Rauf Hakeem voted for the 18th Amendment when MR held the Whip! Also,the Divineguma Bill,diluting the 13th Amendment in the process and helping the Impeachment of the CJ.The irony was that he was the Minister of Justice! This time around he votes for the 19th Amendment. All this THOPPI spin is over a couple of months only.Hold your breath; If,BBS brings out fresh evidence about Kumari Cooray,he will even vote with them!
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Paul / April 29, 2015
No, some of them are from the old MR camp, some like Maithri saw which way the wind was blowing, some like CBK want power, some like Ranil want power but want to look upright too. The last is not a crook but he protects his friends who are. With the weaknesses in the CC and the Council of State waiting to be exploited, can anybody be trusted?
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shankar / April 29, 2015
singapore at last.
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pasal / April 30, 2015
bank have mercy on you
shape shape shapeee.
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Goraka / April 29, 2015
Now that the fundamentals of democracy are in place, the President has a bigger job to do – bring the belief that Sri Lankans are decent people.
Some politicians have divided the country on ethnic, religious, and racial lines.
The President has to unite ALL SRI LANKANS under one banner and tell them that it’s OK to be different from each other whether it’s race, religion, or ethnicity, but unite under one flag.
As my mother used to say, “All my children are different like the fingers of my hand, but they belong to the same hand.”
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Analyst / April 30, 2015
President One humble request.
Please watch over your shoulders to observe the 212 members .
They are there to serve the nation and not to serve themselves. Pilfering the state coffers and spending tax payers money should not be allowed.
President you have the power ., no drug peddling ,no thieving , no extravaganza. Look after the country before looking after your selves.
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Sadith / April 30, 2015
Ranil and CBK must be whining and whinging now since their evil plan to grab the power didn’t work. Still JR is smarter than ranil, I am sure ranil will roll out his wicked plan B. Poor MS, he is washing ranil and CBK’s dirty laundry, seems like before he is done his job he will be kicked out.
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Mary / April 30, 2015
Thank you very much to Ven Sobitha Thero, President Sirisena, PM Wickremasinghe, CBK, JHU members and all others who worked hard to pass the 19A. Though it was diluted by UPFA , it is a start and hope will be improved later. Also thanks to MPs like Eran W, Harsha de S, Ajith P …..etc. who keep on communicating and informing us through social media. Wish other MPs will also make an effort and educate the rural masses in some way as they comprise majority . Also now pls take action against the corruption of previous govt.
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shankar / April 30, 2015
maithri’s beaming face says it all.We have at last achieved our cherished goal of becoming a member of the rich mans club,the developed world.
Singapore,the goal stated by junious richard jayawardena,was not a dream after all.no more begging bowls for us.jayawewa.Ape aanduwa.namo namo..
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Analyst / April 30, 2015
Mr PRESIDENT. Plundered wealth should be taken back and used for the “NATION BUILDING”
THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR ELECTION MANIFESTO.
GENERAL,PUBLIC WILL REQUEST YOU TO DO IT TOO WITH UTMOST URGENCY.
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