Abolition of executive presidency: Maithree, Mahinda, Ranil agree
February 22, 2019, 12:42 pm
Former President and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has, at a recent meting with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) heavyweights, said that the executive presidency should be abolished.
Sources told The Island he had sought the opinion of those present on his suggestion. Some of them had endorsed it while others remained noncommittal, sources added.
Sources said President Maithripala Sirisena was also agreeable to the abolition of executive presidency. President Sirisena yesterday told parliament that it was upto parliament to decide whether the executive presidency should continue or not. If it wanted that institution abolished he had no objections, he said.
"I am not angry with anyone. Even if this august assembly decides to abolish the executive presidency, I am not against it. I made that promise when I assumed the duties of this post. It is a task before Parliament. There is no change in my stance. So, Parliament could make a decision on that, too."
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has also indicated his willingness to have the executive presidency scrapped in keeping with the yahapalana manifesto presented to the people before 2015 presidential election. That was one of the main demands put forth by the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha thera for supporting the common presidential candidate.
The UPFA has 95 MPs and the UNP 107. The JVP, which has also been campaigning for the abolition of the executive presidency has six MPs.
Former President Rajapaksa and President Sirisena are scheduled to meet today (Feb. 22) to discuss the current political situation. The issue of abolition of the executive presidency is expected to be figure in their talks.
