Sri Lanka’s Opposition proposes constitutional amendment to end presidential system
The Hindu
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is under pressure to quit along with his family as street protests have raged over the government’s mishandling of the island nation’s worst-ever economic crisis
Sri Lanka’s main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) on Thursday presented a constitutional amendment bill that among other provisions seeks to abolish the presidential system of governance, in existence in the country since 1978, and replace it with a system that reinforces constitutional democracy.
The move by the SJB party came in the backdrop of massive protests demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his Sri Lanka Podujana (Peramuna)-led government over the country’s worst economic crisis.
The SJB presented the draft 21st constitution amendment bill to the Secretary-General of the country’s Parliament with proposals including the abolition of the current executive presidential system.
“We have handed over to the Speaker our proposal to abolish the executive presidential system,” main Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament.
The SJB document proposes to “abolish the executive presidential system and replace it with a system that reinforces constitutional democracy”.
While the President will remain the Head of State and the Commander in Chief, the President has no personal discretion in appointing or dismissing the Prime Minister, according to the proposal.
The Prime Minister shall be the head of the Cabinet of ministers and the ministers are to be appointed by the President on the prime minister’s advice, it adds.