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Abolish Executive President if changing PR system: JVP

30 Jun 2021

  • SLMC wants PC polls under current system; TPA wants PR system retained

By Buddhika Samaraweera   While emphasising the importance of the proportional representation (PR) electoral system currently in operation, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has said that the Executive Presidency too must be abolished if any amendment is to be made to the PR system. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), and the JVP held a special discussion at the JVP headquarters in Battaramulla yesterday (30) to discuss issues to be considered in reforming the electoral system. Speaking to the media after the discussion, JVP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake claimed that the Executive Presidency with unlimited powers had been introduced with the aim of alleviating the situation if a weak Parliament is elected under the PR system. In such a situation, “the abolition of the Executive Presidency would be mandatory if the PR system is to be amended”, he said. Dissanayake further alleged that the current Government’s attempt to reform the electoral system is not an attempt to establish a progressive electoral system or to consolidate democracy. “The present Government is trying to establish a bipartisan system in the country. The PR system is the most progressive electoral system currently in place. If it is to be amended in some way, it should be to a more progressive and democratic electoral system,” he added. He also stressed that every political party should be given the opportunity to represent the Parliament, the provincial councils (PCs), and other local government bodies. Adding that the conducting PC elections has been delayed for a long time, Dissanayake pointed out that steps should be taken to hold PC polls under the current electoral system. Meanwhile, speaking to the media after the said discussion, SLMC Leader MP Rauff Hakeem said the present Government has created a discussion on electoral reforms with the intention of delaying holding elections at a time when the people are deeply dissatisfied with the Government. “Through this, an attempt is being made to postpone holding PC elections. Our view is that the Government should take steps to hold the PC polls under the current electoral system,” he said. TPA Leader MP Mano Ganesan, who spoke to the media following the discussion, said the current PR system is a very progressive electoral system and they are of the opinion that it does not need to be amended. “However, if the current electoral system is going to be amended, all positive aspects of it must be included in a system which would be introduced in the future,” he noted, going on to claim that the Government is preparing to revise the electoral system based on their personal agendas. A 15-member Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) headed by Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was appointed early last May to identify appropriate reforms to the election laws and the electoral system as well as to recommend necessary amendments. The PSC met for the first time in Parliament on 17 May. Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Douglas Devananda, Wimal Weerawansa, and Ali Sabry; State Minister Jeevan Thondaman; and MPs Dissanayake, Hakeem, Ranjith Maddumabandara, Mano Ganesan, M.A. Sumanthiran, Madhura Withanage, and Sagara Kariyawasam are the members of the PSC.

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