SLPP rejects JVP-backed 20th Amendment

• Says JVP pushing to abolish Executive Presidency to gain political mileage head of polls 

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said the party would not back the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) supported 20th Amendment to the Constitution, which would result in ending the Executive Presidency.

“The 20th Amendment is something that was brought by the JVP to fulfil their needs. There is no genuine intention behind all this effort to create a better future for the next generation or bring an end to the current political uncertainty of the county,” MP Piyal Nishantha told reporters at SLPP head office.

Nishantha said considering the recent political developments in the country, the abolishment of the Executive Presidency might create political uncertainty. According to Nishantha, the Executive Presidency is the only branch that can bring stability to the country.  

He argued that if the Executive Presidency is abolished, it would weaken the power of the State to make difficult decisions during times of instability. “If Mahinda Rajapaksa could not take those tough decisions at the right time, how could we have ended the War?”

He claimed the 20th Amendment presented by the JVP fails to address burning public issues such as currency depreciation and cost of living. He insisted that tackling such issues should be the priority of political leaders rather than bringing an Amendment to the Constitution to abolish the Executive Presidency. 

“JVP’s real intention behind bringing the 20th Amendment is because they do not have a suitable candidate for the Presidential Elections and this would also have improved their popularity,” he added.

The de facto leader of SLPP, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday stated that he would not back the 20th Amendment but he has acknowledged that a political discourse around the issue has already emerged. 

JVP MP Vijitha Herath moved a private members bill on 5 September in Parliament to amend the Constitution to abolish the Executive Presidency. However, the Supreme Court in 2015 determined that the proposed articles required a two-thirds majority in Parliament followed by a referendum on par with the provisions of Article 84 (2) of the Constitution in order to be approved. The same was also said when the new coalition Government was attempting to pass the 19th Amendment in 2015.  

JVP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday said their party had decided to hold official talks with all parties in Parliament concerning the abolishment of the Executive Presidency.