Lifting of two term limit will dilute President’s powers - MR

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under fire from the opposition over the Constitutional amendment aimed at removing the two-term limit of presidency, has said the proposed legislation would in fact “dilute” his powers.

 

“This will ensure supremacy of Parliament and in fact the proposed 18th Amendment will dilute some of the powers of the executive president,” he told media heads and publishers
during an interaction at his residence.

 

Rajapaksa, who was elected for his second six-year term in January this year, dismissed the notion that the government is rushing through the amendment without consultations, amid growing criticism from the opposition and sections of the media.

 

He said the Constitutional Council under the 18th amendment will ensure supremacy of Parliament in a better way as the panel will comprise only MPs.

 

Rajapaksa said there will not be a Presidential representative in the proposed Council unlike a 10-member body stipulated in the 17th Amendment.

 

The president pointed out that the five-member Council will have the speaker, prime minister, Opposition Leader and two other nominees by the MPs and would have to be approved by Parliament.

 

In the event of an opposition member getting elected as speaker, the majority control of the Council could fall into opposition hands, an official release quoted him as saying.

 

“We have consulted the Members of Parliament, both of the ruling alliance and the main opposition party, and others too. In fact, we have incorporated some amendments suggested by the opposition...,” Rajapaksa said.

 

Rajapaksa said that a section of the main opposition UNP MPs asked the government to take an effective action as the present Constitutional Council under the 17th Amendment had led to an administrative deadlock.

 

They wanted the near anarchic situation caused by the 17th Amendment to be changed, the official website quoted him as saying.

 

Rajapaksa said the next presidential candidate will be decided by his Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the final powers to elect any person as President will rest with the people. “This amendment will further strengthen the sovereignty of the people.”

 

Asked whether his eldest son Namal Rajapaksa will succeed him as president, he replied that there were no shortcuts to leaderships.

 

“It took 40 years for me to come to this position. I was elected to Parliament when I was 23. Even he may have to wait as long. The Presidency is not a 50-metre or 100-metre dash. It is a marathon. This is the advice I give to all those aspiring for political power. Those who take shortcuts will end up in failure,” Rajapaksa said.

 

He said when the presidency is limited to two terms, the incumbent may become indifferent to people’s wishes during the second term as he or she would not be facing another election.

 

“That could affect one’s mentality in a way as to waiver in commitment,” Rajapaksa said. “When one is aware that he/she will have to go to the people once again, it will further enhance one’s commitment to the people and that is good for the people and the country.”

 

The amendment is expected to be passed today as the government appears to have the requisite two-third support in Parliament, with the backing of some opposition MPs, PTI reports.