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Sri Lanka begins debate on key constitutional reforms

Xinhua, April 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sri Lankan legislators began a two- day debate in parliament on Monday on proposed key constitutional reforms for which the government is seeking majority support in parliament in order to bring it into law.

One of the most significant parts of the proposed reforms is for the powers of the president to be reduced.

Speaking in parliament after submitting the reforms proposals, President Maithripala Sirisena said that he is keen to ensure the powers enjoyed by the president are reduced.

Former presidents had also proposed reducing presidential powers but Sirisena said that he is the first president to ensure the proposal is not limited to just words.

The constitutional reforms proposals, known as the 19th amendment to the constitution, also proposes the introduction of the right to information.

However, a proposal related to the media was removed after some private media institutions and civil society raised concerns, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament.

The opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said it would back the 19th amendment to the constitution following an assurance it received on electoral reforms.

Opposition leader Nimal Siripala de Silva told parliament that President Maithripala Sirisena had given an assurance that the electoral reforms would be presented to parliament through the 20th amendment to the constitution before the next parliament elections.

Nimal Siripala denied accusations that the SLFP was working against the 19th amendment to the constitution.

Sri Lanka's main minority Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). said that the 19th amendment was required to ensure democracy in Sri Lanka.

TNA leader R. Sampanthan urged parliament to back the proposed reforms when a vote is taken on Tuesday. Endi