SLFP pledges support to 21 A bill, suggests several additions

• SLFP leader writes to Justice Minister pledging support for bill
• Suggests several changes including setting up body to recommend presidential pardons, limiting Cabinet to 30

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has pledged its support to the draft 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill and proposed several additions to it to restrict the powers of the President.

 The SLFP informed Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha of the party position in a letter sent to him by former President Maithripala Sirisena who is the leader of the SLFP.

The SLFP proposed that the Bill be amended to enable the President to hold only the Defence portfolios and for presidential pardons to be given on the recommendations of a body established by law and appointed by the president on the recommendations of the Constitutional Council.

The SLFP’s other proposals include limiting the cabinet to 30 members with appointments to be made on a rational basis and not in the ad hoc manner like it is done at present, prohibit persons from outside the public service being appointed as ministry secretaries and appointment of Governors, Ambassadors/heads of Missions to be done on the advice of the prime Minister, in consultation with the cabinet of Ministers.