The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People's Power (NPP) stated that they would not provide any support for the abolition of the Executive Presidency at the moment, calling ongoing efforts a conspiracy.
However, the NPP stated that a future Government led by them, will move to abolish the Executive Presidency.
In the wake of reports that there are preparations to abolish the Executive Presidency, several political parties have revealed their stances on the matter.
Speaking to The Daily Morning on the matter yesterday (18), NPP Gampaha District Parliamentarian, Vijitha Herath said that the ongoing preparations to abolish the Executive Presidency at the moment is a 'conspiracy', and that it should be defeated.
"Attempting to abolish the Executive Presidency at this time is a trick. They (government) had ample time to do it, but they did not. We will do it under an NPP Government, but we will not support it at this moment. That is our stance” Herath said.
With discussions having emerged with regard to the abolition of the Executive Presidency, the Parliamentary opposition, civil organisations, and various other parties have attributed the possible moves to do it, opining that it may be a calculated attempt to postpone the upcoming Presidential Election, and thereby extend the term of incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Revealing their stance on the matter, the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the main Parliamentary opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have stated that they would not support the abolition of the Executive Presidency at this point. Another opposition political party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has however stated that they would support to abolish it, but would oppose any attempt by Wickremesinghe to remain in power beyond his term under the pretext of doing so.
The Executive President of Sri Lanka is the elected Head of State and the chief executive. The President is a dominant political figure in Sri Lanka. The office was established in 1972, as more of a ceremonial position. It was then empowered with executive powers by the 1978 Constitution introduced by former President J. R. Jayewardene. Since its establishment, several Presidents have pledged to abolish the Executive Presidency, but failed to have done so. Through the 19th and 21st Amendments to the Constitution, the powers of the President were curtailed to some extent.