If a motion is tabled in parliament to abolish the presidency, another motion to dissolve parliament must be tabled the same day, the opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said amid intense speculation that Sri Lanka’s all-powerful executive presidency is to be finally abolished, albeit for reasons of political expediency.
Former JVP legislator Sunil Handunneththi told reporters Wednesday October 11 evening that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration cannot be allowed to hold on to parliament power after dissolving the presidency.
“They can’t be allowed to abolish the presidency and hold on to parliament power. The day they bring in a motion to abolish the presidency, they must also bring a motion to dissolve parliament. Then we can start with a clean slate,” said Handunneththi.
The JVP, along with numerous other parties both government and opposition, has long advocated for the abolishment of the presidential system.
“The presidency must be abolished, but you can’t be holding parliamentary power under the guise of that,” the former MP said.
“Wickremesinghe doesn’t have [a mandate] anyway],” he added.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena, meanwhile, said he had heard something different.
“We have heard that there is a plan to hold a referendum to abolish the presidency and amend the constitution so that the president can be elected by parliament,” he said speaking to reporters.
These remarks come amid media reports that discussions have been held at the highest levels of government about the possibility of holding a referendum on abolishing the presidency. This is reportedly due to fears that no political party will be able to secure 50 percent of the vote at the presidential elections due October next year.
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said speaking at a public event earlier this week that the incumbent president’s term expires in August 2024 but the current parliament’s term is valid till around October 2025.
“Ranil and Basil are thinking, with this they can continue on till 2025 instead of going home in August 2024,” said Dissanayake, possibly alluding to discussions reported to have taken place between President Wickremesinghe and chief organiser of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa.
At least one spokesperson for Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP) have dismissed these reports, however.
Trade unionist Saman Ratnapriya who is affiliated with the UNP and is officially Director General of Trade Unions to the President, said the government has no plans to change elections and that opposition parties are making fanciful statements.
“These are statements without truth. By making these statements, leaders of opposition parties are just trying to get a kick. The government has no plans to change elections,” he said.