Sumanthiran challenges prez hopefuls: Pass 20A prior to poll

Throwing a challenge at presidential hopefuls who commit to abolishing the executive presidency following the forthcoming election, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran urged them to act in favour of passing the 20th Amendment in parliament before the poll. He said any candidate would be duty-bound to make 20A operational after ascension to office.

He told the Daily Mirror that a referendum could be conducted later on if the proposed constitutional amendment were passed in the House.

“My party has taken the primary position that this election should not happen. If the election is conducted despite our stance, we will talk to the candidates in the fray. Our support hinges on their commitment to settle the Tamil national question and abolish the executive presidency. I can request the JVP to move the 20th Amendment if there was a genuine commitment by others to pass it before the poll. All presidential aspirants have given lip service to TNA’s requests. My party will discuss the matter in detail,” he said.

Commenting on the hurriedly-summoned Cabinet meeting last Thursday, he said it was President Maithripala Sirisena who had done it but the blame was on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. (Kelum Bandara)