Sajith says constitutional draft Bill lacks teeth to clip president’s wings

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that the government’s draft Bill to amend the constitution has no provisions to curtail the powers of the incumbent President.

Addressing a party activists’ meeting on Thursday Premadasa rejected claims by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the 21st Amendment would be delayed as the SJB and the NPP were boycotting Parliament.

“The constitutional reforms will come to effect only when the term of the present President comes to an end. This President will have all powers, including the powers to dismiss the Prime Minister. This is similar to what former President Chandrika Kumaratunga proposed in 2000. Her reforms were seen as good and acceptable. We are going to face a similar situation,” Premadasa said.

The Prime Minister, during a statement to Parliament on Tuesday, said that Cabinet approval has been given to the 21st Amendment and all parties must come to an agreement on the proposals put forward and present the final draft Bill to Parliament.

“However, it is unfortunate that the process will be delayed due to the boycott of Parliament by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the National People’s Power Party,” the Prime Minister said.