by Political Editor in The Sunday Times, Oct 15, 2023
Is the talk about abolishing the executive presidency, gaining momentum, a trial balloon floated by an influential section of the government? So, it seems to be the likely answer.
The apparent rationale behind the move is to obviate the need for a presidential poll. It is proposed to be carried out through a national referendum. That is to pave the way for a general election and a return to parliamentary democracy. No doubt the fruition of such a move has been much talked of but never executed. It would come as an acknowledgment that since 1978, the executive presidential form of government has been a failure for more than 45 years.
The soundings came from a key government stalwart to opposition groups, mainly the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP). The nature of the soundings, couched in an air of informality, was to conduct a national referendum for abolishing the executive presidency. The political broker was also keen to make it known that he was tossing the suggestion casually, meaning that he did not wish to be identified by his party or his own name. For obvious reasons, disclosure of their names is bound to therefore draw denials.
The response of the two major parties, the SJB and the NPP, was clear-cut. Any resolution in Parliament to conduct a referendum should also make provision for the immediate conduct of parliamentary elections, something which they are not inclined to do until electoral reforms are completed. Added to that are the achievements of their major economic recovery efforts. Presidential elections are scheduled for any time between September and October next year,
It is these reforms that are being misconstrued in some quarters as moves by the government to put off elections, said Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. “These reforms will not delay elections. They are not even related to the presidential elections,” he told the Sunday Times. He added, “This country is a country of phobias. When we bring changes, they say what is the urgency to bring them. When we delay, they shout ‘Why did you take so long to bring the reforms.’ The government will not delay elections due to reforms. The reforms envisaged will see the election of 160 members to Parliament under the first-past-the-post system. The remaining 65 members from a 225-seat Parliament would be represented by the National list and District list depending on the number of voters under the proportional voting system.” He said the proposals would be discussed with leaders of political parties. He said suggestions made by them would also be considered. Hence, at this stage, these are only proposals, he pointed out.
The conduct of a national referendum, other than one that is non-binding (which has no legal power), to abolish the executive presidency, would still require the contents to be approved first by Parliament with a two-thirds majority. One may argue that unless equations have changed drastically, that is not a difficult task. On July 20, last year, Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected President by Parliament with 134 MPs voting in favour. This month MP and Cabinet Minister Nazeer Ahmed was disqualified after the Supreme Court ruling upholding a decision by his party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, to expel him for going against one of the party decisions. However, the number has now gone up to 135 with parliamentarians Suresh Vadivel and A.H.M. Fowzie joining the government ranks. That leaves the support of only 15 more MPs to reach 150 votes, which is two-thirds in the 225-member Parliament. It may still not be a difficult task to lobby those from the Tamil political parties. Of course, they may hinge on political assurances being given to them.
It was just last week C.V. Wigneswaran, leader of the Tamil Makkal Thesivya Kootani, said in a letter to President Wickremesinghe that “Tamils are thinking of a Common Tamil candidate” at a future presidential election. “Many matters promised by Your Excellency have not seen the light of day. The Advisory Committee under Dr Vigneswaran has not been clothed with authority…..” There are also a few in the opposition who are supportive of President Wickremesinghe. …….
https://www.sundaytimes.lk/231015/columns/moves-again-to-abolish-executive-presidency-536103.html
