{"id":128246,"date":"2014-07-25T00:13:23","date_gmt":"2014-07-24T18:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=128246"},"modified":"2014-08-05T11:18:15","modified_gmt":"2014-08-05T05:48:15","slug":"opposition-politicians-and-the-possible-common-candidate-convene-to-call-for-an-end-to-the-executive-presidency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/opposition-politicians-and-the-possible-common-candidate-convene-to-call-for-an-end-to-the-executive-presidency\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition Politicians And The Possible Common Candidate Convene To Call For An End To The Executive Presidency"},"content":{"rendered":"

The increasing momentum in the civil society for calls to abolish Sri Lanka\u2019s Executive Presidency<\/span><\/a> marked a milestone today, as politicians representing various opposition parties participated in the launch of the \u2018Road Map\u2019 to abolish the Executive Presidential System and reactivate the 17th amendment<\/span><\/a> by the National Movement for Social Justice headed by Maduluwawe Sobhitha<\/span><\/a> thera.<\/p>\n

\"CBK<\/a>The event that was held today was attended by the most unlikely of figures to convene together to which included former President Chandrika Kumaratunga<\/span><\/a>, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe<\/span><\/a>, Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka<\/span><\/a>, TNA leader R. Sampanthan<\/span><\/a>, TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran, JVP MP Sunil Handunneththi<\/span><\/a> and the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

With just months left for the next Presidential elections, Maduluwawe Sobhitha thera who is rumoured to be the most likely Common candidate at the upcoming elections said, \u201cThe present constitution is being rejected by the masses each day and the calls to abolish the Executive Presidency have been made not just by politicians but also religious leaders due to the increasing crises that have plagued the country due to unlimited political power being concentrated in the hands of a single individual.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sobitha\"<\/a>Senior legal practitioner and constitutional law expert Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne<\/span><\/a> speaking of the \u2018Road Map\u2019 that was launched today said they are not calling for mere promises of abolishing Executive Presidency, but for a system where the newly elected President should abolish the Executive Presidential system within six months of being elected.<\/p>\n

\u201cA legal draft of the proposed plan should be presented instead of simply including it in the election manifesto of the Common Candidate,\u201d he said adding a \u2018rainbow alliance\u2019 needs to be established in order to effectively implement the \u2018Road Map\u2019 as planned.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Head of Department of Law – University of Peradeniya Dr. Deepika Udagama<\/a><\/span> speaking on Constitutional amendments and the Executive Presidency said there is no argument on the fact that Executive Presidency should be abolished and added as for constitutional reforms, she is strictly against \u2018tinkering with the constitution\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a need for effective Constitutional changes to be implemented upon consultation with the masses, instead of the amendments remaining the exclusive subject of the people\u2019s representatives,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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