Sirisena for repealing 19th Amendment which curtails Presidential powers

President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday called for repealing the 19th Amendment to the country's Constitution, which has curtailed the presidential powers, saying it is a reason of "political uncertainty" in the country.

The amendment, which was passed in April 2015, caps the Presidency at two-terms and disallows dissolution of Parliament by the President before four-and-a-half years of its term, reported Daily Mirror.

"People accuse us of running an unstable government. They say that I and Prime Minister (Ranil Wickremesinghe) are pulling in different directions...the reason is the 19A," he said.

Sri Lanka, which is still reeling under the percussions of deadly Easter Sunday terror attack, saw a power struggle among the President and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe

Last year, President Sirisena prematurely dissolved Parliament in an effort to oust Wickremesinghe out of power. However, the Supreme Court ruled that his dissolution was illegal.

Notably, in 2015 Sirisensa was made to introduce the most revolutionary reform, which repeals the 18th Amendment, the source of extreme power for the President.

"The 8th Amendment to the Constitution is a dictatorial one but the 19th Amendment prevented a sound government," the President said.Earlier this month, Sirisena announced that the presidential election has been scheduled for December 7. However, it is not yet clear whether Sirisena would contest.