19th Amendment: Deadlock On Constitutional Council Resolved

Following prolonged discussions by President Maithripala Sirisena with party leaders, a compromise has been reached on the two main issues in the 19th Amendment which had raised difference of opinion.

The Constitutional Council to be established by the 19th Amendment will have 10 members. Seven of them will be MPs (Including the Prime Minister, the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition) and there will be three Independent members.

Furthermore, it was agreed that the President will act on the advice of the Prime Minister when appointing Ministers.

Meanwhile, parliamentary session was extended by one hour.