Elections after reforms: President

18 March 2015 03:06 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena said today Parliament would be dissolved and a general election held after the proposed constitutional reforms were enacted.

He gave this assurance during a breakfast meeting at the president’s house with newspaper editors and media institution heads when asked whether Parliament would be dissolved on April 23.

The President said the date of elections would be decided no sooner the constitutional reforms were enacted. He said a general election would be definitely held because it was one of the main pledges given to the people during the presidential election campaign.

The President said the constitutional reforms would be finalised in about two weeks and would be presented to Parliament in April. He said the people and civil society groups would be given the opportunity to discuss the proposed reforms.

The President said views were being expressed that he was preventing the executive presidential powers being pruned. He said there was no truth in such views and that he himself had proposed that the term of the presidency be reduced to five years from the present six and the term of the Parliament be reduced to five years as well.

The President said excessive powers invested in the President especially through the 18th Amendment would be removed including the Presidential power to dissolve Parliament.

When asked about the electoral reforms he said it would be discussed within the next few weeks and underscored the fact that the new electoral system would be a mixed system and would do away with preferential voting.

However, he added that there were discussions and different opinions being expressed with regard to the number selected on the first-past-the-post system and through the proportional representation system.

The President said views were being expressed whether those selected on the proportional representation system should be at the national level or the district level and different views on the composition of the national list.

The president said he wants to form a national government for at least two years after the general election and therefore the campaigning should be carried out in a way that would lead to such a government.

When asked as to whether he would lead the SLFP campaign as its chairman, President Maitripala Sirisena said he would not participate at primary level campaigning at the election and highlighted the fact that he was also grateful to the UNP voters who voted for him and helped elect him as President.

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Comments - 17

tom Thursday, 19 March 2015 08:36 AM

FINALLY WE SEEM TO HAVE A MAN WITH CREDIBILITY AND HONESTY. THIS OBSERVATION COMES FROM A TRUE GREEN UNPer.

Renuk Friday, 20 March 2015 03:20 AM

If he is honest, first he should give up SLFP presidency

Teacher Thursday, 19 March 2015 11:58 PM

All responses are from one side! There should be no national government because every democratic country needs an opposition.

hiran Gunawardena Thursday, 19 March 2015 07:21 PM

What has he done there fir the last 30 yrs. what development has he done to create jobs. He just sat there talking and saying yes sir. No wonder development stopped and country going backwards via DM Android App

Cuckoo Thursday, 19 March 2015 05:46 PM

God save the President! Ratama dinavana nayaka thumata jaya.

aA. wickramasekara Thursday, 19 March 2015 03:04 PM

sanity prevails

de silva Thursday, 19 March 2015 10:55 AM

WELL SAID MR.PRESIDENT.YOU ARE THE BEST PRESIDENT WE EVER HAD AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR TAKING US TOWARDS A YAHAPAALANAYA.

Podi-Bappa Thursday, 19 March 2015 10:45 AM

Good news! However, I believe President must begin to crack his whip. He emphasized that election campaigning should be carried out in a way that would lead to such a government., But see what happened. Some of the members were demonstrating against the Government in front of the Central Bank. We saw how Namal steered the crowd. Bad signs!

shamantha Welgama Thursday, 19 March 2015 10:05 AM

We have enough fights between party supporters during almost all the elections.,We do not want to continue the same. We are educated enough to argue, discuss and come to a conclusion on matters related to the country.We need a country with peace and prosperity. From now on we don not want a division of people as UNP,SLFP or JVP.,But all must have freedom of speech.MI3 is the best president to make this dream come true.Jayaweva

Lanka Watch Thursday, 19 March 2015 04:36 AM

Digging his own grave by delaying the election as peoplewill become suspicious and may vote against the govt.

Nanda Thursday, 19 March 2015 08:18 AM

Do not understand, how he can be without in primary level campaigning, if going to continue the chairmanship of SLFP?. Then he must give away the chairmanship to someone else capable. Or may be trying to sellout SLFP to UNP!, that may be the deal famously published by Tissa!.

Horri Jimonis Thursday, 19 March 2015 08:18 AM

If an election is held, UNP will lose. So, no elections please.

Desmond Jeromme Thursday, 19 March 2015 08:17 AM

We need some development for the country, no need of an election Sir.

Kiris Baba Amaray Thursday, 19 March 2015 08:16 AM

Hon. President, no need an election now.

Bubble Banda Thursday, 19 March 2015 08:15 AM

Sir, good move.... go ahead.

Vin Thursday, 19 March 2015 06:36 AM

Good to hear a man with principles and commitment

Mevan Thursday, 19 March 2015 05:08 AM

Being the gentleman that he is he has not forgotten the UNP voters who voted for him to defeat a corrupt govt. This country is lucky to have a modest man like MY3 as a leader.

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Elections after reforms: President

Comments - 17

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