Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to launch a disciplinary inquiry into its National List MP Diana Gamage who voted in favour of the draft bill of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution yesterday.
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in Parliament with amendment with a two-thirds majority.
In the third reading, 156 MPs in total had voted in favour of the constitutional amendment while 65 MPs voted against. Vote for the second reading recorded 156 votes in support of the constitutional amendment and 65 votes against it.
SJB MPs Dayana Gamage, Ishaq Rahuman, M. Raheem, Ahamed Nasir, Mohomed Harris, Faisal Qasim, Aravind Kumar and M.S. Thowfeek had endorsed the draft bill during the vote.
Speaking to media, General Secretary of SJB, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said necessary actions will be taken after consulting lawyers.
He stressed, the SJB’s assistant secretary went against the collective decision of the party by endorsing the 20th constitutional amendment. He denounced Gamage’s move as an insult to the SJB supporters.
Even the Parliamentarians Hakeem and Bathiudeen stood by the party’s decision to vote against the proposed amendment, the SJB General Secretary said further.
However, MP Diana Gamage dismissed the claims that she supported the constitutional amendment in expectation of personal gains.
She also commented: “What is the point of having a nominal President? As the country’s President, he should be vested with powers,” adding that she has faith in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “I am certain he will develop the country.”
