Govt for abolition of Executive Presidency - Minister

KOTTE: The Government is committed to abolish the Executive Presidency and it is also mentioned in the SLFP proposals submitted to the APRC, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament yesterday.

De Silva urged the UNP to bring in its own proposals to abolish the Executive Presidency.

“The UNP has not still presented their proposals. We can go for a proper system which will enable us to savour democracy,” he said, adding that the electoral reforms committee headed by Minister Dinesh Gunawardana is drawing up a more appropriate elections system.

“The proposals before it are more beneficial. These reforms are very important. The present aberrations in the electoral system do not allow the formation of a stable Government. The new reforms will hopefully end this situation,” he added.

He said political parties should uphold the abolition of the Executive Presidency as a matter of policy. Moreover, smaller parties have to gain due recognition and representation.

The Minister said the Government always stood for the concept of devolution of power, as exemplified by the SLFP proposals.

He expressed optimism that the Government would be able to reach a lasting solution to the ethnic problem.