Left parties in Sri Lanka's governing coalition to decide on alternative proposals for constitutional amendments

May 30, The left parties in Sri Lanka's governing (UPFA), are to meet tomorrow (31) to discuss the proposed constitutional amendments by the government and to decide on a separate set of proposals that will include abolishing the Executive Presidency among other reforms.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera has said that the leftist parties in the governing UPFA, the Communist Party (CP), Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and New Left Front (NLF) wanted the Executive Presidency abolished and did not want an extension of the terms of office held by the current President.
He has said that the Communist Party had always called for the abolishing of the Executive Presidency since its formation by former President J.R. Jayewardene, adding that an executive prime ministerial post should be created.
"Since the governing party has come up with several proposed constitutional amendments, we need to meet and decide on a separate set of proposals to be handed over to the SLFP," Gunasekara said.
He has noted that once the proposals were handed over to the SLFP, the leftist parties would initiate a dialogue on the matter with them.