The second reading of the 20th amendment to the Constitution has been passed in parliament. The second reading received 156 votes in favour and 65 against. A total of 221 MPs were present in parliament for the vote.
The result of the vote was read out before the House by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena after tallying.
Several opposition MPs including Dayana Gamage of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) as well as certain MPs of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) reportedly voted in favour of the bill.Former President and current SLPP parliamentarian Maithripala Sirisena was absent during the vote.
The Second Reading vote will be followed by the Committee Stage Discussions with the final vote set to take place tonight.
