President can have portfolios stipulated in 19A only

December 24, 2018 by

Senior Lawyer J C Weliamuna sys the President can have, according to the 19th amendment, only the portfolios of Defence, Mahaveli Development and Environment.

In a ‘Twitter’ message keyed on 19th December, Nr Weliamuna states, “How many ministries & functions can the President hold? Transitional provisions.51 of 19A give a clear answer. He can assign to himself “subjects & functions of Defence, Mahaveli Development and Environment”. Nothing more! Let’s not confuse ourselves.”

However, President Maithripala Sirisena has taken the portfolio of ‘Law and Order’ in addition to the portfolios of Defence, Mahaveli Development and Environment.

Transitional provisions.51 of 19A states, “51. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Constitution, the person holding office as President on the date of commencement of this Act, so long as he holds the Office of President may assign to himself the subjects and functions of Defence, Mahaweli Development and Environment and determine the Ministries to be in his charge for that purpose and accordingly, any reference in any written law to the Minister to whom such subject or function is assigned, shall be read and construed as a reference to the President.”