Wijedasa denies proposing to abolish executive presidency

Justice minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe has denied media reports that he has submitted a paper to the cabinet for the abolition of the executive presidency.

What he had presented was an amendment to the election system, to elect 160 MPs at electoral level and 65 others under proportional representation, he has told ‘Anidda’ newspaper.

Rajapakshe said his proposal is similar to the one previously made by a parliamentary committee headed by premier Dinesh Gunawardena to introduce such a mixed electoral system.

The minister added that he would discuss his proposal with party leaders shortly.