Will the executive presidency be abolished before the polls next year?

12 October 2023 08:41 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka's political circle has gone into a quandary after information has spread that moves are underway to abolish the executive presidency before the Presidential Election next year as no candidate or political party will be able to secure an over 50 percent win at the polls.

The Daily Mirror learns that discussions to this effect have already been held by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has already drafted a cabinet paper to change the electoral system.

This cabinet paper is part of the step which might eventually lead to a public referendum being called to see if the Executive Presidency should be abolished and Parliament being further strengthened with an executive prime minister.

However the main political parties, after hearing of such moves have already begun holding internal discussions with most of them stating that they will object to such a move when it is raised in Parliament.

The main SLPP is of the view that the Executive Presidency should continue at least till the 2025 General Elections are over as the current government has been elected on a mandate to continue with an executive President. "If this system is to be abolished, then it should be after the 2025 General election once a new government is in place" a top SLPP source told Daily Mirror.

The Daily Mirror learns that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) who have always called for an abolishment of the Executive Presidency will also oppose this move once it is brought to Parliament as the JVP is also of the view that this matter must be raised once a new government is in place after the 2025 General Election. "The next government will come in with the people's mandate so till then we cannot decide to abolish the Executive Presidency. Any moves before that will be unsuccessful," a senior JVP MP said.

The main opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya have also begun discussions on the matter and are very likely to oppose it, maintaining the same stance that a new government has to be first elected in the 2025 Parliamentary Election in order to vote for the abolishment of the Executive Presidency.

Meanwhile, according to senior Parliamentarians, rumors are rife that once the cabinet paper on the changes to the electoral reform come through, and if the political environment is right, discussions will be held within the higher circles to call for a public referendum with the President's consent as it is only the President who can call for a public referendum according to law.

Based on the results of the referendum the matter will then be brought to Parliament to gain a two thirds majority for the abolishment of the Executive Presidency.

If this happens, then the Presidential Election which is expected to be held in November 2024, is likely to be postponed if the necessary amendments are made to the legislation.

Following the economic crisis which erupted in nationwide protests last year, it is unlikely that any political party will gain over 50 percent win in the Presidential or Parliamentary Polls. With the Supreme Court's recent historical verdict to expel Nazeer Ahamed after he left the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and accepted the post of Environment Minister in the government, the Daily Mirror learns that the SLPP is getting ready to file court cases against those who left the government and are now seated in the opposition. If the court rules in favor of the SLPP, then at least four MPs are likely to lose their seats with the SLPP being able to fill it in with their members.

With 2024 and 2025 being crucial years for Sri Lanka with the Presidential and Parliamentary polls, it is now to be seen if the information spreading among the political circles is implemented with the executive presidency being abolished in the coming months. Only time will tell.(JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 32

sam Thursday, 12 October 2023 08:52 AM

Lame excuse

jayantha Thursday, 12 October 2023 09:16 AM

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE abolish THE executive presidency NOW!!!!!! THIS HAS BEEN A cancer on mother Lanka killing her slowly and steadily!

Jude Thursday, 12 October 2023 09:16 AM

Highly unlikely!! Yeah no party or anyone wants to do away with executive presidency!! EP got unlimited power, and who wants to give up that kind of power, just ask RANIL!!

Roger D S Thursday, 12 October 2023 09:17 AM

Hope it materialises

Dana Thursday, 12 October 2023 09:23 AM

Unfortunately our constitution has become the favourite tool for politicians to amend to suit their electoral fortunes. JRJ openly stated in 1977, when introducing a new constitution, that the UNP had the biggest percentage of votes and a proportional representation system would keep them in power for ever. He then went on to further amend it around ten times to suit his ambitions. In 2015 RW as PM used 18th amendment to divert the Presidential power to the PM. GR as the President used amendment in 2020 to again increase the Presidential power and nullify 18A. Now in 2022 RW is trying to use another amendment to abolish Presidency as he cannot get elected as the President. All this is done while the citizens who are expected to be protected by the constitution are forgotten and neglected.

This is reality Thursday, 12 October 2023 09:52 AM

Is this a feeler spread to test the ground condition or a subtle canard to move political parties to tie themselves up in knots? Difficult to comprehend either way.

Trevor Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:06 AM

The utter hipocracy of parties like the JVP and SJB are now coming to light with the most recent statements and positions being taken by them to oppose an early abolition of the executive presidency. Why would they not want it now? Earlier it was abolish the Executive Presidency now! Now the tune is let's abolish it after the next general election. What assurance do we have that they will follow through on theor commitments (if any) after a general election? Our history suggests otherwise. At almost each general election pledges were made that the executive presidency will be abolished, after they came into power we know it never happened. If we can get rid of it now before an election there would be more certainty. A bird in the hand is surely better than two in the bush. After all would any rational person trust Sajith or Anura to give up on the position of such power as the executive presidency? I don't think so. If we have half a chance now, let's get on with it!

Mike Jeya Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:07 AM

Once a referendum is held then it becomes a public mandate and it is obligatory for all parliamentarians to respect the people's verdict and abide by that.

Sakya Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:10 AM

Diversion methodology from many severe calamities brought about by the creative work of the parliamentarians that the People currently endeavours day in and day out. They have no real solution but simply divert the attention of the people from one issue to another by gimmicks.

Chryshan Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:10 AM

Yeh we saw the messages circulating with the new motives behind the abolition of executive presidency. Master brains of Rajapakses.

Nimal Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:13 AM

This pin president, who has no mandate from the people, will do everything possible to stay in power and destroy the country still further.

Ronnie Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:33 AM

We had priministers. Presidents . Executive Presidents what is the real problem to control 225 any changes will it bring prosperity to the nation.....

Logical thinker Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:44 AM

Please, no elections until this country comes out of this economic mess.

Chandana Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:50 AM

If we are serious about the abolishment of the executive presidency let's do it now at the earliest opportunity. Let's not come up with lame excuses to delay it. What ever the motivation, it isblessing in disguise. Laughable seeing those who appeared to clamor for it now see no hurry for it. Further more, they expect you to 'trust them' to abolish it at a later date!

Waco Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:55 AM

Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka must be the next Executive President of Sri Lanka. That will be the last and final chance to put country in order.

VJ Thursday, 12 October 2023 11:09 AM

These stories were created and circulated by the leadership to keep the people preoccupied. Why would the citizens worry if we have an executive presidency or not, it is the politicians who are worried about power. Here is another story; Pohotuwa will fully back RW in the next election for president on condition that Namal should succeed RW when his term ends. Therefore RW will be president and Namal will be made the PM. In case RW is not able to complete him term in office for whatever reasons, Namal will become president of the wonder of Asia.

Natalie Nanayakara Thursday, 12 October 2023 11:13 AM

The president and his masters, the rajapaksas are like rats on a sinking ship. Strap all your stolen wealth on your bodies before you sink; you might need it in hell.

Onlooker Thursday, 12 October 2023 11:57 AM

Hold on to it if it is good for you even though bad for all others and destroy it if it is bad for you but good for others. That is the Exec Presidency. Human Nature.

Rondy Thursday, 12 October 2023 12:14 PM

Prime Minister answerable to Parliament like pre-77 era is the ideal model for SL considering political situation here This Presidency has too many powers in my view

Chandi Akka Thursday, 12 October 2023 12:14 PM

Okay then can bring back Sirisena to do that job and also to find the master brains behind Easter attack

DD Thursday, 12 October 2023 01:04 PM

Well, it looks like Sri Lanka's political stage is about to be set for a real-life referendum showdown! Is it time to put JR's vision to rest with the help of his nephew? Only time will tell. With the cabinet paper ready to roll, it's time to let the people decide. Who knows, maybe this time the citizens will give the executive presidency a one-way ticket to the sunset! Even CHANDRIKA, MAHINDA, and SIRA may find themselves in the voter's shoes. What a twist of fate.

ANNECUNT Thursday, 12 October 2023 02:59 PM

BASIL GOT 4 HOUSES IN AMERICA UNDER HIS WIFE (puspha) NAME

vithura Thursday, 12 October 2023 03:13 PM

The quicker it can be abolished, the better it will for the country.

Ram Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:29 PM

Executive Presidency will not be abolished. On that pretext they will drag the holding of elections for a a few more years and may pass a motion similar to what Mrs B passed in the mid Seventies

Patcitz Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:32 PM

This is a right time to abolish the Executive Presidency, no one should think wether who will take 50 per cent or who will not, if such a sitution arises the constitution must be amended according to the circumstances, rather than Ranil holding the leadership without people's mandate. Elections should be held without any delay.

Uali Thursday, 12 October 2023 05:51 PM

RW’s intention is to be in the driving seat as much as possible without elections rogue politicians supporting him to use the opportunity to steal more

Cherath Thursday, 12 October 2023 06:24 PM

Trevor - Its a pity you cannot deduce that this abolition thread now weaved and directed at the sceptical public and the opposition is nothing but a ploy to distract them from (a) the excruciating misery being loaded on the masses and (b) to delay, duck and avoid the mandatory requirement of the Presidential election and the General election, afterwards. Because, as even a child would tell you, Ranil will be condemned into history the day after the first of these elections. Your whacking the JVP or SJB on this issue is utterly irrelevant. Try another way.

Sambo Thursday, 12 October 2023 07:22 PM

Why are you so selfish. Like if I cannot get it then no one will have it. Abolish the presidency and immediately dissolve parliament.

Anthony. R Thursday, 12 October 2023 07:54 PM

Anything is possible with this current regime who are upto no good, and ,for them to remain in power. No wonder, there are Fraudsters and Crooks who are coming out very Loud, joining the rouges and promising Changes,and to uplift the economy of the Nation . What a joke

dinesh Thursday, 12 October 2023 08:10 PM

trying every trick in the book or out of it to stay in power and deny the JVP power....too late...

Patcitz Friday, 13 October 2023 02:40 PM

If, no more delay in the upcoming presidential election set in the year 2024 as pre-planned, respecting the parliamentary procedure, conduct a ballot amongst 225 parliamentarians within the house and legally convert the PR system to a Westminster system of governance in the country, giving more powers to Parliament

Jinpan Nam Friday, 13 October 2023 03:31 PM

Another KALAGEDI - LAMPU game is coming soon! Ready to select one and send home this group!

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Will the executive presidency be abolished before the polls next year?

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