Another round for talks next week before 21A sent to Cabinet

• Party leaders agree to meet on 3 June for final decision on draft Bill
• TNA, JVP absent at talks
• PM’s office says TNA will attend next meeting as they were unable to attend yesterday
• JVP says party will send observations on draft Bill in writing
• All parties agree 21A must be passed as soon as possible

Another round of discussions will be held next Friday between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and party leaders before the draft 21st Amendment (21A) to the Constitution Bill is presented to Cabinet for approval.

The decision to hold another round of discussions before finalising the draft was taken at the meeting between the Prime Minister and party leaders as the Tamil National Alliance (YTNA) had informed they were unable to attend yesterday’s meeting.

“Following the discussions, it was decided that due to the TNA being unable to attend today›s (27 May) meeting, they would hold a final meeting next Friday with the TNA›s attendance, so as to finalise the draft,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

Representatives of the JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) party did not attend yesterday›s meeting. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told reporters that they will not attend the meetings with the Prime Minister but would send their observations on the Bill within the next few days.

A general consensus was reached that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution had to be passed as soon as possible but the SJB had suggested that there should be full inclusion of 19A in the 21st Amendment, the PMO said.

Party leaders agreed that re-enactment of 19A in the form of 21A would be the first step, abolishment of Executive Presidency would be the second step. They also agreed to discuss whether or not the President can retain the Defence portfolio.