A handy guide to the Presidential election

'The Executive President' by veteran journalist D.C. Ranatunga published recently will be an invaluable companion in any one who is interested following the results of the Presidential elections on November 17.

The 1978 Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka established the Presidential system in the country. The President is the Head of the State, the Head of the Executive and of the Government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The President is elected by the people and holds office for a term of six years. The President is the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers charged with the direction and control of the Government. He appoints Prime Minister as the Member of Parliament who in his opinion is most likely to command the confidence of Parliament.

'The Executive President' traces the progress of the country's administrative system from the days of the British Governments and summarises the results of four Presidential elections during the period 1982-1999. It is a handy guide for anyone interested in studying the Presidential system in Sri Lanka, says DCR introducing the booklet, a Sarasavi Publication.

In less than fifty pages DCR captures the history of head of the state in Sri Lanka since we lost our independence in 1815. He briefly traces the history since Frederick North the first governor of the island.

The book gives concise profiles of every president and the votes different candidates received at each election in total and electoral based. In the profiles the author captures key achievements, issues of each president during his/her tenure.

Written in a very simple language book is targeted at the average reader. The cover of the booklet depicts the Presidential Secretariat, which is the old parliament building at Galle Face. In the inner cover he gives a brief introduction to this building. "Opened on 29 January 1930 to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon, today the parliament building as it is commonly known, serves as the Presidential Secretariat.

Built in 'Ionic' style one of the five architectural orders of the day, in appearance the building resembles the Parthenon, the chief temple of the Greek goddess Athene, on the hill of Acropolis in Athens.

Members of the State Council, the House of Representatives, the National State Assembly and Parliament met in this building up to 1982 when Parliament was shifted to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

With such important and useful information Executive President is in deed a handy guide. D.C. Ranatunga earlier authored a similar book titled Twelve Parliaments in Sri Lanka covering the history of Parliament Elections of the country.

- Deepal Sooriyaarachchi