Government to reform presidency

7 March 2010 11:25 pm - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government says it will abolish or reform the executive presidency if elected with a two thirds majority at the forthcoming election. Constitutional Affairs Minister DEW Gunasekara told BBC Sandeshaya that the government is also planning to introduce a fresh constitution in the new parliament.

"There is an opinion in the country that the executive presidency should be abolished or reformed," he told BBC Sinhala service.

He however said there is no time frame for a new constitution to be introduced.

"If the opposition says that they vote for the abolition tomorrow, we would not have this problem," he said.

The main opposition coalition that contested the 26 January presidential election has vowed to abolish the very powerful executive presidency.

Main opposition parties in the south, including the UNP and the JVP, and Muslim and Tamil nationalist parties were members of the coalition.

The minister added that a political solution aimed at minority Tamil community's grievances may also be included in the new constitution after consultations with other parties.

"The solution might include the devolution of power," Minister Gunasekara said.

The much-talked about All Party Representative Committee (APRC) will be re-convened to discuss the proposals.

However, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has earlier dismissed all efforts that have been made so far to find political solutions to the country's ethnic problem.

Mr Rajapaksa has now said he does not think any generally acceptable solution has yet been suggested, so "after the present election I am going to put forward my own solution to the problem" he told BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo.

He has remained vague on what this means although he has spoken of a possible upper house of parliament.

The APRC convened in 2006 claiming to 'reach consensus on a package of measures to guarantee the rights of Tamils,' is yet to hand over its proposals.

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Comments - 22

Monday, 08 March 2010 07:00 AM

hope changing the presidency will not mean it will be replaced by a monarchy

Monday, 08 March 2010 10:48 PM

With the 2/3 majority, unlimited terms?

Monday, 08 March 2010 10:33 PM

A good idea ... but then, this should be put before the people, at the general election, not be implemented by 'underhand' means, after the election. Anything is possible because credibility, has long been at stake.

Monday, 08 March 2010 08:41 AM

In Sri Lanka the people can be fooled all the time, because MR and his gang knows they are fools.

Monday, 08 March 2010 08:38 AM

He shouldnt cripple his powers. In fact, he should gain more powers to face to the many kinds of foreign interference to our beloved motherland! Cheers Mr. President!

Monday, 08 March 2010 08:00 AM

Always "ADA NEMAI HETA" (not today but tomorrow).

Monday, 08 March 2010 07:46 AM

President will reform a constitution which he can rule another 30 years without election and he can hand over the all powers to Namal.. there will be no other president candidates for another 100 years..

Monday, 08 March 2010 07:30 AM

Wait & see ..................

Monday, 08 March 2010 07:19 AM

Everyone knows that, after April 8th maama will forget everything

Monday, 08 March 2010 07:17 AM

everyone knows how the presidential election was won, all fraudulent acts. truly SF won by a majority and these guys announced faults result, how can someone trust these people.

Monday, 08 March 2010 07:12 AM

OWA KIYAPIYA KONDE BANDAPU/ NIL PAATA ANDAGATHTHU CHEENUNTA

Sunday, 07 March 2010 11:33 PM

Yes UNP and Allies will do it anyway!

Monday, 08 March 2010 06:40 AM

WHen? in their dreams?

Monday, 08 March 2010 06:35 AM

Yes UNP and allies can do that but only in another 20 years. The opposition will be humiliated in this time election.

Monday, 08 March 2010 06:35 AM

If you wanted to do this you could have done it by now. There is a limit to hoodwinking the people, you should realize that. It is said that you can't fool all the people all the time. The time would come for you to pay for all this deceit.

Monday, 08 March 2010 06:14 AM

for the 2nd time ?

Monday, 08 March 2010 05:59 AM

If you give 2/3 I do not think there will be a country to live for others except for those who get it

Monday, 08 March 2010 05:23 AM

we heard this 15 yrs ago

Monday, 08 March 2010 05:21 AM

another ploy on Gvernment be half and we dont believe them any way....

Monday, 08 March 2010 05:21 AM

YOUR LIAR'S

Monday, 08 March 2010 05:14 AM

nariyata kukula duna wage theyei

Monday, 08 March 2010 12:44 AM

WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THIS TYPE OF STORIES FOR TOO LONG. WE DONT THINK MR IS GOING TO DILUTE HIS POWERS.

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Government to reform presidency

Comments - 22

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