NMSJ calls for the abolition of Executive Presidency

By Umesh Moramudali-2013-05-28

Head of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, called for the abolition of the Executive Presidency during the rule of the present government.

Participating in a discussion organized by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), held at the auditorium of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA), yesterday, he pointed out that the main constituent party of the present government, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), wanted the Executive Presidency abolished at the time it was introduced.

"SLFP Leader, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, protested against the Executive Presidency when it was introduced in 1978, and pledged to abolish it once they come into power. The incumbent President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, was also a major activist at the time that campaign was being conducted," he added.

Speaking further, Ven. Sobitha Thera said all the left parties in the government have expressed their support to abolish the Executive Presidency and the government needs to take steps to do so.

He added, the NMSJ has drafted the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and they want to create public awareness on the proposed amendment.

According to Ven. Sobitha Thera, the constitutional amendment and the abolishment of the Executive Presidency is the need of the hour as the Constitution, in its present form, vests too much power in the President.

"Due to the lacunas in the Constitution, there are clashes between the Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary," he said.

Commenting on statements made by certain politicians who say that the 'people's supremacy is represented in Parliament' he questioned, "The President can dissolve Parliament at any time he desires. Therefore how can one say Parliament is supreme?"

He went on to say that the Judiciary is also controlled by the President as the power of appointing judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal lies with him.

"Even the Attorney General's Department is under the President and the Attorney General has to act according to the dictates of the President," he opined.

 However, joining the discussion, the General Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Udaya Gammanpila, said there is nothing wrong with the Executive Presidency, but the fault lies with the 1978 Constitution, and added that therefore the Constitution should be amended.

Elections to the North to be postponed?

TUESDAY, 28 MAY 2013 

Despite it had been planned earlier to hold the elections for the Northern Provincial Council in September, a dialogue is going around the powerful in the government party that it should be postponed until at least October.

According to sources a crisis has developed in the government regarding amendments to  powers for provincial councils. However, the powerful in the government have taken the stand that the crisis should be resolved and an election held as early as possible. It is reported that, except for a few parties in the UPFA, the majority are not in favour of amendments to the PC powers.

It is stated that most senior members in the SLFP are not in favour of amendments.