Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeyrwardena today placed his signature on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, which was passed in Parliament last week.

The Bill was signed by the Speaker at his office today in the presence of the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament.

Issuing a statement, Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Neil Iddawala said that the Bill becomes a law of the country with immediate effect.

All provisions of the Act will be implemented from today, he further said.

Iddawalla added that the Constitutional Council will seize to exist following the signing of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman kiriella has called on the Speaker to assign seats with the ruling party for a group of Opposition MPs from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for future Parliament Proceedings.

MP Kiriella put forth the request after the group had voted in favour of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. The group of MPs from the SJB are as follows.

Dayana Gamage
Aravinda Kumar
Ishaq Rahuman
Faisal Qasim
Mohomed Harris
H. M.M. Thowfeek
Nazeer Ahamad
M. Raheem
S.M.M. Musharaf