UNP National leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today said his party hoped to reach consensus with regard to the abolishing of executive presidency after having discussions with other political parties and organisations.

Mr. Wickremesinghe expressed these views following a meeting with the National Council for a Better Tomorrow (Pivithuru Hetak Udesa Jathika Sabhawa), headed by the Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera over the abolishing of the executive presidency.

 “Several alternatives such as the Westminster system and other relevant systems were discussed for the betterment for the country,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

Ven. Rathana Thera commenting on the meeting said it was a fruitful discussion. “The discussions were a success especially with regards to the policy document presented by the Council for a better tomorrow. We are happy that this discussion took place at an appropriate time for the country,” the Thera said.

He said the organisation had held discussions with all leftist parties and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). “We are hoping to have discussions with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and all the other parties as well,” the Thera said.

“Finally we hope to develop this document with the help of views from all parties,” the Thera said.(Chathuranga Pradeep)
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