UNP Suspended The Party Membership Of Six MP's Crossed Over To The Govt.

The Main Opposition UNP has decided to suspend the party membership of Six of their MP's who were crossed over to the Government Bench this evening and voted in favor of the 18th Amendment.UNP Working Committee is to meat soon and decide the disciplinary action against the Six MP's Lakshaman Seneviratne,Earl Gunesekere,Upeksha Swarnmalee,Nimal Wijesinha,Abdul Carder and Manusha Nanayakkare most probably  the cancellation of their Party Membership

18Th Amendment Passed With More Then Two Thirds Majority

Much debated 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed with more then two thirds majority at the Parliament this evening at the time  the Main Opposition United National Party Parliamentarians boycotted the house proceedings.One hundred sixty one votes received in favor of the Amendment while Seventeen voted against.

Besides the One hundred Forty four Government MP's Sixteen Opposition Members including of Six UNP and Eight Sri Lanka Muslim Congress MP's were voted in favor of the Amendment.

The salient feature of today's Parliamentary debate on the Amendment was the cross over of the Six UNP Parliamentarians to the Government Bench just few hours before the voting take place.The Cross Over MP's were Lakshman Senevirathne,Earl Gunesekere,Actress Upeksha Swarnamalee,Manusha Nanayakkare,Abdul Carder and Nimal Wijesinha.Earlier they stated that they will supported the Government to pass the Amendment while remain in the Party.

The Passed Amendment now scheduled to be gazetted soon to become a law.

Main Opposition Party Boycotted The Debate On The Amendment

As the Government says they are having the support of at least around 160 MP's to pass the 18th Amendment including 16 of the Opposition MP's, the main Opposition UNP has decided to boycott the Parliament session today as a mark to opposing the proposed Amendment.The majority of the UNP MP's boycotted the proceedings this morning and participated the street protest organized against the Amendment.

Meanwhile adding fuel to the Government the popular tele drama acctress Upeksha Swarnamali popularly known here as Paba who got elected from the opposition UNP yesterday meet the president and expressed her support to the Government on the Amendment.

18th Amendment Presented To The Parliament

The 18th Constitutional Amendment was presented to the Parliament by the Government this morning despite the Strong opposition  of the Opposition Parties.The Amendment which removes the restriction imposed by the present Constitution(1978 Constitution) towards   President  which says a President only able to  hold the post  twice.The Appointments,Transfers and removals of the Government Service earlier vested to the Public Service Commission now vested to the President and the Cabinet under the new Amendment.

Main Opposition  United National Party(UNP) and Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) along with Democratic people's Alliance and the Tamil National Alliance decided to act aginst the Amendment saying it is an unconstitutional and pave a way to dictatorship.

Meanwhile majority of the main Opposition UNP Parliamentarians launched a Street Protest from their Headquaarters Sirikotha to the Parliamentary premises this eve and faced a road block from t he Police on their way.Opposition leftist party JVP along with Democratic people's Alliance and the Tamil National Alliance are decided to participate the debate on the proposed Amendment which is now proceeding at the Parliament.The Voting for the Amendment is scheduled to held around 7 P.M Sri Lankan time and two third majority is needed to passed the Amendment as recommended by the Supreme Court.

18th Amendment Introduced To The Parliament

The Much debated 18th Amendment was introduced to the House as an emergancy Act by the Prime Minister D.M Jayaratna this morning despite the protests of the Opposition MP's.Speaker Chamal Rajapaksha announced the Supreme Court Judgment on the Amendment to the parliament which says that the Amendment is prepared according to the Constitution

While announcing the decision Supreme Court also stated that the two third majority is enough to pass the proposed Amendment and there's no need for a referrendum to seek people's madate for it.

Government last weak handedover the proposed amendment to the Supreme Court to check it's validity with the Constitution.The amendment is to take for a debate tomorrow morning and voting is scheduled to be held in the evening..

While A Section Of Buddhist Clergy Opposing The Amendment Few Unper's To Support It

As the much  debated 18th Constitutional Amendment is to be  presented to the Parliament in two days time a section of Buddhist Clergy clearly opposing the Amendment as the Government planned to pass the Amendment as an emergency Act.

Even some of the Chief Incumbents clearly stated that this is a great threat to the Democracy of the Country.Meanwhile the Opposition MP's who supported the Amendment said another Five MP's of the Main Opposition United National Party(UNP) will vote with the Government when the voting is held on Wednesday.

TNA To Vote Against The Amendment

Tamil National Alliance(TNA) today decided to vote against the 18th Amendment which is to be presented to the Parliament in this Wednesday.TNA said the main reason behind their decision is that the proposed Amendment affects the rights of Minorities in the Country.