Lanka's UNP to support scrapping of presidential system

Sri Lanka's ruling United National Party today said it will support a move to abolish the executive presidential form of government.

Yes we will support it," senior UNP member and Leader of the House of parliament, Lakshman Kiriella said referring to the 20th amendment (20A) to the Constitution moved in parliament yesterday by the Marxist JVP party.

The 20A moved as a private member's motion by the JVP seeks to abolish the presidential system that has been in force since 1978.

Kiriella said although it was only a private member's motion that can be legislated by following the due process.

It needs to be adopted with two-thirds majority, then referred to the Supreme Court, if the court recommends a national referendum then it must be subjected to a referendum," Kiriella said.

JVP legislator Sunil Handunneththi said his party was certain that 20A can be adopted.

All political parties at different times have pledged to abolish it," he said adding, therefore no party can stay opposed to it.

Even President Maithripala Sirisena pledged in 2015 to abolish the system but only through limited tinkering with presidential powers by adopting the 19A amendment.

The 19A removed the president's power to arbitrarily dismiss the elected parliament before four-and-a-half years of its term.

However the minority Tamil and Muslim parties have expressed unwillingness to support the abolition of the presidency as they feel they are well served in safeguarding their political rights through the presidential system.