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| Against 70%? |
Leader of the Democratic Left Front and Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudewa Nanayakkara, said more than 70% of the government ministers and MPs in Parliament were in favour of abolishing the Executive Presidency.What the country requires is a major constitutional amendment which will do away with the Executive Presidency system, he said.
He added if the Executive presidency is abolished by the President as well as those who exercise pivotal power, the image of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government would be subjected to renewal there by earning it more public appeal.
“Should the President, as well as those who exercise the pivotal powers of the government, decide to abolish the Executive Presidency it would give the UPFA government… …a renewed image as well as an edge over all other political Parties since the greater opinion of the public is to see the system abolished. However, at present whether they would do it or not remains a question” he said.
“Since 1978 we have been having this system which is of no avail. If this system is abolished there would be a greater democratization of the country as well as Parliament’s decision making process.
Under the system we would only have a ceremonial President, whereas the Prime Minister would have a greater say.
Members of Parliament would have more say in issues of national concern. Moreover where elections are concerned the mix system should be implemented since the current system is very prohibitive for individuals who are willing to contest and are unable to do so due to financial constraints. Change of the electoral system will pave the way for more suitable candidates to contest during elections” Minister Nanayakkara added.
By Gihan Nicholas
Ceylon Today