NEW FACES AT

CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL SOON

Several changes are to be made in the composition of the constitutional council according to the changes that have occurred in the political landscape following the November 16 Presidential election, according to Parliamentary sources.

A representative of the President is appointed to the Constitutional Council and the current representative of the President is still State Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, who was appointed by the former President Maithripala Sirisena during his tenure.

Former Minister of Justice, Thalatha Athukorala who was appointed by the former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is still considered as the representative of the Prime Minister.

It was learnt that both these positions would be changed in the near future.

Despite the Opposition Leader representing the Council, Sajith Premadasa has not been included as a member since he has not yet been officially announced as the Opposition Leader in the Parliament.

There are ten members in the Constitutional Council which is chaired by the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. The Constitutional Council was first established in 2000 under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. It was scrapped by the 18th Amendment and was re-established under the 19th Amendment by the former regime headed by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

There are ten members in the Constitutional Council which is chaired by the Speaker