JVP to bring 20th Amendment to completely abolish Executive Presidency

Says will use political turmoil and destabilisation of Government to their advantage as done so in the past

By Skandha Gunasekara 

The JVP intends to bring in a 20th Amendment to the Constitution in an effort to completely do away with the Executive Presidency. 

Addressing a media briefing at JVP headquarters in Thalawathugoda yesterday, party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the political setting was ripe to bring an amendment to the Constitution. 

MP Dissanayake said: “Currently there is political turmoil in the country. Similar instances in the past have seen important, socially beneficial legislation being enacted. In 2001, a host of Government MPs sat in the Opposition, destabilising the Government. The JVP capitalised on that opportunity to bring in the people-conscious 17th Amendment to the Constitution. However, in 2010 that was annulled and the 18th Amendment was brought in by then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In 2015, the Unity Government overturned the 18th Amendment with the 19th Amendment. Similarly, we plan on abolishing the Executive Presidency by bringing in the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, using the instability of the Government to our advantage.”

However, MP Dissanayake said that three main factors needed to be addressed to enact this legislation successfully, first and foremost being the opportune moment to present the 20th Amendment. “When we bring in this new legislation is crucial. There is much talk and anticipation regarding a No-Confidence motion against the Prime Minister. If it is brought to Parliament soon, then we will wait till Parliament concludes with the motion before presenting the 20th Amendment. If the No-Confidence looks to be delayed several months, then we will bring the new legislation in before that.”

The second factor, he said, was the barrage of criticism various parties will have on the 20th Amendment. “Many will find fault with the Amendment. One point they will harp on about is the powers of the Provincial Governors and their appointments. At present the mechanism to centralise powers of the Provincial Councils is the Governors; and the Governors in turn are appointed by the President. So those opposing the abolition of the Executive will say that it could lead to a division in the country. So we intend to bring in legislation that will not affect the Governors,” he said, adding that the JVP will ensure that other such issues are addressed before presenting the Amendment to Parliament. 

The final issue to consider is the enactment process. “The approval of a two-thirds majority in Parliament is needed for this Amendment to be passed. The support of other MPs will be needed at this point. In addition, if the Supreme Court decided, we may have to hold a referendum.”

Pointing out that the JVP has been calling for the elimination of the Executive since the first Executive President was appointed, MP Dissanayake asserted that neither the UNP nor President Maithripala Sirisena had any intention of ridding the country of the Executive Presidency.