The Supreme Court has determined that Clauses 3,5,14, 22 of the proposed 20th Amendment bill, in present form, are inconsistent with Article 3, read with Article 4 of the Constitution, and require a referendum.

The Supreme Court's determination on the proposed constitional amendment was conveyed to Parliament by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

However, the Supreme Court has further opined that the inconsistency of Clause 3 and 14 will cease by amending it in accordance with the proposed Committee stage.

"Amendments and the inconsistency in Clause 5 would cease if Clause 5 is suitably amended as specified in the determination," the determination said.

The Speaker added that other clauses of the bill could be passed in Parliament with a special majority.