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Minister Prof. G.L Peiris has presented a proposal to the Cabinet that the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs should be the focal point for taking up debates on the changes that are required to the Constitution.

"In the Cabinet paper, I indicated some of the areas in respect of which changes are necessary and I said the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs will take the leadership for creating a debate on these matters," Prof. Peiris told the Cabinet briefing.

The main issue highlighted in the document is the Executive Presidency and its relationship with Parliament. Among the other areas identified are electoral reforms, human rights, the judiciary and the Independent Police Commission, the Minister added.

The Minister also said the 19th amendment which seeks to clip the powers of the President in respect of dissolving Parliament had been unanimously approved by the Cabinet. It has now been gazetted and will be presented in Parliament on September 19.

Meanwhile, the PA said yesterday that its parliamentary group has unanimously decided to defeat the 19th Amendment.

PA MP Nimal Siripala de Silva said all PA MPs are totally opposed to reducing the powers of the President and vesting them in the Prime Minister through this Amendment.

Silva said: "According to this amendment, if the Government has lost the confidence of the House, another motion will be moved to look for an alternative party. This indicates that the Government has a serious doubt about its political stability." 

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