Presenting 20th amendment delayed due to prorogation of Parliament
April 19, 2018The JVP expected to present the 20th amendment to Parliament as a private members’ motion today (19th) to get the executive presidency abolished. However, the motion had to be delayed as President Maithripala Sirisena prorogued Parliamentary session to settle the internal conflict in the SLFP said a spokesman for the JVP.
Speaking at a press conference the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka said President Maithripala Sirisena came to power promising to abolish the executive presidency but has not taken any measures at least to present an amendment to the Constitution to do so. As a result, the JVP decided to present the 20th amendment to the Constitution as a private members motion said Mr Dissanayaka.
However, presenting the 20th amendment to parliament has been delayed due to conflicts that exist in the SLFP and the UNP and also the chaotic situation that exists in the ‘yahapalana’ government. The JVP had planned to present the amendment to parliament as a private members’ motion.
Meanwhile, Member of the Mahinda faction Bandula Gunawardene speaking at a press conference held in Colombo had said their faction would support the motion if it is presented to parliament. Also, the UNP and several other parties reached a policy agreement at the 2015 presidential election to support Mr Maithripala Sirisena as the common candidate. The JVP bringing in the 20th amendment emphasizes that abolishing executive presidency was the main slogan at the 2015 presidential election.
