Sri Lanka begins debate on key constitutional reforms

Sri Lankan lawmakers began a two-day debate in parliament on Monday on proposed key constitutional reforms for which the government is seeking majority support in order to bring them into law.

One of the most significant part of the proposed reforms is for the powers of the president to be clipped.

Speaking in parliament after submitting the reforms proposals, President Maithripala Sirisena said he was keen to ensure that the powers enjoyed by the president are reduced, Xinhua news agency reported.

Former presidents had also proposed reducing presidential powers but Sirisena said he was the first president to ensure the proposal is not limited to mere words.

The constitutional reforms proposals, known as the 19th Amendment to the constitution, also proposes the introduction of the right to information.

However, a proposal related to the media was removed after some private media institutions and civil society raised concerns, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament.

The opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said it would back the 19th Amendment to the constitution following an assurance it received on electoral reforms.

Opposition leader Nimal Siripala de Silva told parliament that President Sirisena had given an assurance that the electoral reforms would be presented to parliament through the 20th amendment to the constitution before the next parliament elections.

Nimal Siripala denied accusations that the SLFP was working against the 19th Amendment to the constitution.

Sri Lanka's main minority Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said the 19th Amendment was required to ensure democracy in Sri Lanka.

TNA leader R. Sampanthan urged parliament to back the proposed reforms when a vote is taken on Tuesday.