PASSED

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/09/09/pol01.asp

PASSED
18th Amendment to the Constitution:
*For 161 *Against 17
Historic majority:
The 18th Amendment to the Constitution was passed with a overwhelming majority in Parliament yesterday amidst jubilant scenes in the House at the end of a marathon session, with the Government surpassing the magical 150 votes figure breaching the two thirds majority barrier.
The new legislation which has the removal of Presidential term limits as the centrepiece was passed with a majority of 144 votes. One hundred and sixty one members voted for the Amendment and 17 against.
Abdul Cader
Lakshman Seneviratne
Earl Gunasekere
Manushya Nanayakkara
Nimal Wijesinghe
Upeksha Swaranamali
While the main opposition UNP boycotted the debate six of its members broke ranks and voted with the Government for the Amendment. They are Abdul Cader, Lakshman Seneviratne, Earl Gunasekere, Manushya Nanayakkara, Upeksha Swaranamali and Nimal Wijesinghe.
TNA Parliamentarian P H Piyasena and Citizens Front MP Sri Ranga also voted with the Government. The Muslim Congress which had pledged its support to the Government voted en-bloc for the Amendment.
All partners of the SLFP in UPFA namely the LSSP, CP, EPDP, DPF, JHU, CWC, UPF voted in support of the Amendment. The highlight of the Amendment was the repeal of Paragraph 2 in Article 31 and Paragraph 3A (a)(1) of the same article thus lifting the restriction on the two term limit for a President. The Amendment removes the term limits for a President but gives the power to the people to vote him back or reject him at elections.
The Constitutional Council introduced under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution too has been replaced by a five-member Parliamentary Council comprising the Speaker the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and a nominee MP each by the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader. The PC will comprise members of representatives of all ethnic groups.
Paragraph 3 in Article 32 too was repealed making it mandatory for the President to attend Parliament once in every three months. In terms of the substituted clause in the discharge of this function the President shall be entitled to all the privileges, immunities and powers of member of Parliament other than the entitlement to vote and shall not be liable for any breach of privileges of Parliament or of its members.
The President shall by virtue of his Office also have the right to address and send messages to Parliament. This was the first Constitutional Amendment since 2001 when the 17th Amendment was enacted. President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Heads of media institutions at Temple Trees on Monday that the Constitutional reforms would empower the people and Parliament.