• SJB officially supports holding election first
• SLPP yet to make a statement
• Rajitha insists scrapping presidency before election

By Yohan Perera

In what appeared to be a last-ditch attempt to postpone the Presidential Election, public discussion has been initiated by some  politicians on the need to scrap the executive presidency to vest more  powers with the parliamentary system.   

Politicians such as Dr. Rajitha Senaratne who was  elected to Parliament on the ticket of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)  insist that it should be scrapped forthwith. He made such remarks at a  function to launch the campaign for new electoral reforms by the  National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ).   
The programme is meant to create awareness for electoral reforms, including the abolition of the executive presidency.   

Currently, the broader proposals for electoral reforms are  backed by the parties across the political spectrum. Earlier, Sri Lanka  Freedom Party (SLFP) leader former President Maithripala Sirisena said  his party supports such a move aimed at abolishing the executive presidency.  

However, some parties are skeptical whether this is a move  to postpone the election, though NMSJ Chairman former Speaker Karu  Jayasuriya asserted that he would never lobby for the postponement of any  election.  
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is yet to come out with its official stand in this regard.   
The Presidential Election is scheduled for the last quarter  of the year, in terms of the Constitution. The SJB, the main  opposition, argues that such an exercise for the abolition of the executive  presidency should be made only after the elections.   

However, Dr. Senaratne, at yesterday’s event, said it  should be scrapped forthwith without conducting the Presidential Election this year.   

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara who was at  the same meeting countered Dr. Senaratne that the election should be  held first to uphold people’s right to franchise.       

• The Presidential Election is scheduled for the last quarter  of the year, in terms of the Constitution