Proposal to abolish executive presidency gets Cabinet nod
November 18, 2015 12:55 pm
The Cabinet of Ministers today approved the proposals made by President Maithripala Sirisena to abolish the Executive Presidency and introduce electoral reforms.
A committee headed by the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to be appointed to finalise the process and draft an amendment while the President instructed the PM to name the committee, sources said.
The proposal was approved at the Cabinet meeting held this morning (18).
President Sirisena yesterday announced that he would present a special cabinet paper to today’s cabinet meeting regarding the abolishment of executive presidency and introduce a new electoral system.
“It is my expectation to introduce a new electoral system which is responsible to the Parliament, abolish executive presidency and transfer the powers of the President to the Parliament and independent commissions”, he said during an event at the Temple Trees.
He said required discussions are being held regarding the establishment of new constitution, fulfilling the promises given in the election manifesto.
“The new government has taken actions to establish the Election Commission to fulfill the expectations for a free and fair elections, about which there had been a discussion for more than 40 years”, the President had stated.
“The new government also has established institutions related to the important areas such as human rights, public service, courts and bribery and corruption”, he added.
