The government cannot decide to hold a referendum on a specific issue and there is a specific process for it, Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa said today.
The Minister said that a constitutional amendment or bill amendment can be subject to a referendum, and for that, a party must first file a petition with the Supreme Court against the amendment. The Minister said that a referendum can only be held if the Supreme Court rules that the bill amendment must be approved by a referendum in addition to a majority in Parliament.
However, if the President so wishes, he can seek an opinion on a certain issue through a referendum, but that opinion does not become law. He expressed these views while addressing the media conference to announce cabinet decisions today (11).