Dilith Jayaweera urges MPs to vote according to conscience on 22nd Amendment

Leader of the Sarvajana Balaya Parliamentarian Dilith Jayaweera has urged all Members of Parliament to vote according to their conscience against the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution when it comes before Parliament for a vote.

MP Jayaweera made the appeal in a letter addressed to all MPs today (24), calling on them to act with consideration for what he described as a critical moment for the country's democratic future.

In his letter, MP Jayaweera said he was addressing MPs not as a political opponent, but as a fellow parliamentarian concerned about the future of the country and its democratic values.

He noted that the Supreme Court's role in considering the Bill was limited to determining whether its provisions were consistent with the Constitution and whether parliamentary approval would require a simple majority, a two-thirds majority or a referendum.

According to MP Jayaweera, the Supreme Court does not determine whether the proposed amendment would ultimately be beneficial to the country or its people, arguing that this consideration is left to the conscience of individual parliamentarians.

MP Jayaweera also referred to MPs who had previously spoken in support of the rule of law, democracy and an independent judiciary, including those who had opposed the impeachment of former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake.

He argued that an independent judiciary serves as a safeguard for ordinary citizens and said the principles MPs had upheld in the past should continue to guide them.

Sarvajana Balaya leader Jayaweera further urged government MPs to remember that they were elected by voters rather than selected solely by political parties, and said their decisions on major national issues would be remembered by both history and the people who placed their trust in them.

He called on MPs to vote against the proposed 22nd Amendment, which he described as “short-sighted,” in what he said would be an effort to protect the country's democratic system.

He also said that if MPs faced practical difficulties in voting against the Bill, abstaining from the vote could also carry significance in the historical record.

Meanwhile, the Second Reading debate on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution commenced in Parliament today, with Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara opening the debate on behalf of the government.

The vote on the Bill is scheduled to be held tomorrow.