by Zacki Jabbar

The government yesterday set a time frame of six months to abolish the executive presidency through a constituent assembly.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, addressing a news conference at Sirikotha said that the Cabinet of Ministers had unanimously approved proposals by President Maithripala Sirisena to scrap the executive presidency and also introduce a new electoral system based on a combination of the first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems.

A committee headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would within the next three weeks produce a draft of the proposed amendments, he noted.

“Thereafter Parliament would be converted into a constituent assembly to seek approval for abolition of the Office of executive president, introduction of electoral reforms and various other proposals in keeping with our election manifesto which pledged a brand new constitution.”

Asked if a time frame had been set for the Executive Presidency to be scrapped , Samaraweera said that they intended concluding the process within six months.

Asked whether a referendum would be required to revert to a Parliamentary system of democracy, the Minister said that was a matter for the courts to decide.

He emphasised that the post of chief executive would come into effect only after the incumbent completed his full term. “One has to appreciate the sacrifices and risks that President Maithripala Sirisena took in challenging Mahinda Rajapaksa for the presidency. If Maithripala had lost God only knows what would have happened to him.”

Courtesy:The Island