It is not too late to abolish executive presidency through the current parliament if all honest MPs come together, UNP MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said today.

Prof. Marasinghe told a press conference that it would be possible to muster a two-thirds majority in parliament to abolish the executive presidency if the honest MPs come together.

He said the 20th Amendment which has been presented to the House by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) which aims at abolishing the executive presidency could also be considered.

“We made a pledge to the people in 2015 presidential and general elections that the executive presidency will be abolished if we come to power. This is one of the two promises which our government could not fulfill. Besides it was the wish of late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera to get it abolished. The prelate led a campaign for the it. Therefore it is essential to abolish the executive presidency,” the MP said.

At the same time, he said the UNP candidate who is contesting for the presidency should pledge to abolish the executive presidency no sooner (if) he comes to power.

“Some decisions made by the current Executive President such as the October 26 coup created political instability in the country. Therefore it is essential to create a government with a powerful parliament,” Prof. Marasinghe said.

He made this statement just a day after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that his party would ask for a fresh mandate to abolish executive presidency at the next elections. (Yohan Perera)

Video by S. Perera