19 passed

19 passed!

215 in favour -- 1 against -- 1 abstained -- 7 not present

7.27 p.m.

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution was passed at the voting session in parliament this evening at 7 o'clock.

Those who abstained from voting was only 1 and 7 had not been present at the time of voting. The only person who was against was MP Sarath Weerasekera and the only member of parliament who abstained from voting was Ajith Kumara. Those who were not present for the voting session were Ellawala Medhananda Thero, Premalal Jayasekera, Susantha Punchinilame, Jagath Balasuriya, Janaka Bandara, Keheliya Rambukwella and Basil Rajapaksa. As such, the Speaker announced that the second reading of the 19th Amendment was passed.

Accordingly, the most significant revolution said to be carried out when establishing the Maithri Government has thus been accomplished. Passing the duty of limiting executive powers of the Executive President's tenure by a 2/3rds majority was of course a difficult task and because it had been prepared in a manner that it could not be carried out easily under the constitution that existed during the tenure of former leaders who tried to bring a change in the powers attributed without a majority, it had to be abandoned. Whatever it is, though amendments were brought forth to increase the powers vested in the Executive Presidentship previously by the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime who had the 2/3rd majority, no relevant proposals were brought to change it.

Voting begins with the names of MPs being called out. Ajith Kumara abstains. The SLFP cast her vote. Signs of the Bill being passed.
7.10 p.m.

The voting session of the MPs commenced  at 7 in the evening in parliament with their names being called to ascertain as to whether they are in favour or against for the 19th Amendment. As such, even those of the SLFP cast their vote at this moment by providing their support. By this time it was MP Ajith Kumara of the Peratugami Pakshaya of the South who abstained from casting his vote.

Voting postponed by one hour .....
6.20 p.m.

Though the voting in parliament was fixed for this evening in connection with the 19th Amendment of the constitution, the Speaker resolved to postpone it by one hour because the Party leaders had informed that it was necessary to discuss this once again. As such, the voting will be held at 7. Meeting of the Party leaders are underway in parliament at present.