The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 71. Parliament may adjourn from time to time as it may determine by resolution or Standing Order, until it is prorogued or dissolved. Adjournment 72. (1) Save as otherwise provided in the Constitution any question proposed for decision by Parliament shall be decided by the majority of votes of the Members present and voting. Voting 55 (2) The person presiding shall not vote in the first instance but shall have and exercise a casting vote in the event of an equality of votes. 73. If at any time during a meeting of Parliament the attention of the person presiding is drawn to the fact that there are fewer than twenty Members present, the person presiding shall, subject to any Standing Order, adjourn the sitting without question put. Quorum 74. (1) Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament may by resolution or Standing Order provide for – Standing Orders (i) the election and retirement of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees, and (ii) the regulation of its business, the preservation of order at its sittings and any other matter for which provision is required or authorized to be so made by the Constitution. (2) Until Parliament otherwise provides by law or by resolution, the Standing Order of the National State Assembly, operative immediately prior to the commencement of the Constitution, shall, mutatis mutandis, be the Standing Orders of Parliament. 75. Parliament shall have power to make laws, including laws having retrospective effect and repealing or amending any provision of the Constitution, or adding any provision to the Constitution: Provided that Parliament shall not make any law – (a) suspending the operation of the Constitution or any part thereof, or (b) repealing the Constitution as a whole unless such law also enacts a new Constitution to replace it. Legislative power