Sri Lanka President says 18th Amendment will dilute some powers of the Executive Presidency

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the proposed Constitutional Council in the 18th amendment to the Constitution will better assure the supremacy of the parliament as there will not be a presidential representative in the proposed council and it will consist only of parliamentary members.

Addressing media heads and publishers at Temple Trees today, the President said the five-member constitutional council will have the Speaker, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and two other nominees from the legislature. If an opposition member is elected as the Speaker, the majority control of the Council could fall into opposition hands, he pointed out.
"This will ensure supremacy of Parliament and in fact the proposed 18th Amendment will dilute some of the powers of the Executive President," the President has been quoted by the Government Information Department.
President Rajapaksa has dismissed the view that that the government is rushing through the 18th Amendment without consultations. This was not a hurriedly arranged amendment, he has told the media.
"We have consulted the Members of Parliament, both of the ruling alliance and the main opposition party, and others too. In fact we have incorporated some amendments suggested by the opposition and in the Cabinet," he has said.
The amendment makes it mandatory for the President to appear in Parliament once in three months.
President Rajapaksa has said that the next presidential candidate will be decided by the Party and the final powers to elect any person as President will rest with the people.
"This amendment will further strengthen the sovereignty of the people," he underscored.
Discussing the removal of the term limits on Executive Presidency, the President has said that when the presidency is limited to two terms, the incumbent could become indifferent to people's wishes during the second term as he or she would not face an election at the end of the term.
"That could affect one's mentality in a way as to waiver in commitment," he has said adding that when the candidate has to face the people again, it will enhance his or her commitment to the people.
The President has highlighted that, as clearly stated in the Mahinda Chintana ' Extended Version, he has exercised restraint in the execution of powers of the Executive Presidency while utilizing his powers to unite the country.
Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Keheliya Rambukwella, Dullas Alahapperuma, and Basil Rajapaksa, and Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunge also were present.
(Photos by Chandana Perera)