Public Petitions Committee on 17th Amendment

The Committee on Public Petitions headed by Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene has already forwarded its recommendations to Minister, D. E. W. Gunasekera, Chairman of the Parliamentary Special Committee on the implementation of the 17th Constitutional Amendment.

The recommendations are as follows:

An Amendment to the Constitution to enable Standing Committees of Parliament to review orders made by the Public Services Commission, the Judicial Services Commission and the Police Commission.

1. By the insertion immediately after Article 61A of the constitution the following new Article:

"61AA - Parliament may by standing orders provide for the establishment of a committee of Members of Parliament to review any order or decision relating a promotion, transfer, dismissal or an order on a disciplinary matter made by the Public Service Commission and alter, vary or rescind any such order or decision."

2. By the insertion immediately after Article IIIH (4) of the constitution following new sub Article:

(5) Parliament may by standing orders provide for the establishment of a committee of Members of Parliament to review any order relating to a promotion, transfer, dismissal or disciplinary control made by the commission or the secretary of the commission and alter, vary or rescind any such order."

3. By the insertion immediately after Article 155N of the constitution following new Article:

"155NN - Parliament may by standing orders provide for the establishment of a committee of Members of Parliament to review any order relating to a promotion, transfer, dismissal or disciplinary control made by the National Police Commission and alter, vary or rescind any such order".

The signitaries of the petition are as follows:

1. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene (Chairman), 2. Amarasiri Dodangoda, Mahinda Wijesekera, Mrs. Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi, Gamini Lokuge, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, A. L. M. Athaulla, Piyasena Gamage, Felix Perera, C. B. Ratnayake, D. E. W. Gunasekera, Keheliya Rambukwella, Kumara Welgama, Jayatissa Ranaweera, S. M. Chandrasena, Premalal Jayasekera, Siripala Gamlath, Hussain Mohamed Bhaila, W. B. Ekanayake, P. Radhakrishnan, Faizal Cassim, Vajira Abeywardena, Nirupama Rajapaksa, Nihal Galappaththi, Piyasiri Wijenayake, Selvam Adaikalanadan, Palitha Range Bandara, Mrs. Thalatha Atukorale, Ven. Akmeemana Dayaratane Thera.