Karu reiterates call for abolishment of Executive Presidency

Thursday, 9 November 2023 02:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya

National Movement of Social Justice Chairman and former Speaker of Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya yesterday reaffirmed his call for the abolition of the Executive Presidency in Sri Lanka.

In a statement, Jayasuriya emphasised that the Executive Presidency should be abolished promptly, aligning with the path advocated by the late Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, a staunch advocate of this cause.

He called on the country’s citizens to come forward and take immediate steps to ensure the abolishment of the system.

“We emphasise the Government to take steps to abolish the executive Presidential system before the next Presidential election, constitutionally. If there is any time-related barrier to that, we request the Government to give assurance to the country that the Presidential election to be held in 2024 will be the last Presidential election in the country,” he said.

“In consideration of the efforts made to further develop the Executive President’s power to an unlimited extent through the 18th and 20th Amendments to the Constitution, it is clear that the efforts to keep the executive presidency and limit its powers through the 17th and 19th Amendments cannot be sustained,” he added.

The Former Speaker said therefore it has now become a must for all relevant parties to work for the abolition of the office of the Executive President.