President to be appointed by Parliament under proposed 20th Amendment to Constitution: JVP

Thursday, April 26, 2018

The President would be appointed by Parliament under the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

The JVP Leader speaking on the proposed 20th Amendment to abolish the Executive Presidency, said it would be presented to Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill next month. He was speaking at a press conference along with JVP Secretary Tilvin Silva and MP Vijitha Herath. Dissanayake said as per the draft Bill, the President would continue to be the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, but he would no longer be the Head of the Government and the Head of Cabinet of Ministers.

He however stressed that the proposed 20th Amendment would be implemented after the current term of office of President Maithripala Sirisena expires. As per the draft Bill, the Head of Government and the Head of Cabinet of Ministers would be the Prime Minister. The President’s powers are to be distributed among the Cabinet, Prime Minister, Constitutional Council and Independent Commissions.

However, the President would continue to have the powers of appointing Governors of Provinces as same as in the 13th Amendment.

“We need a two thirds majority to pass the 20th Amendment. We will initiate a broad discussion on the draft Bill with all stakeholders, including the President, PM, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his group and also other minor parties representing Parliament. Their proposals would also be accommodated in the final draft. A healthy public dialogue would be initiated among civil organizations and intellectuals,” he added.