President to submit Cabinet paper on Presidency

President Maithripala Sirisena is to submit a Cabinet paper tomorrow seeking to abolish the Executive Presidential system.

The President will also seek support for a new electoral system. The President made this known at a function held today.

?It is my expectation to introduce a new electoral system which is responsible to the Parliament, abolish executive presidency and transfer the powers of the President to the Parliament and independent commissions?, he said.

He said required discussions are being held regarding the establishment of new constitution, fulfilling the promises given in the election manifesto. ?The new government has taken actions to establish the Election Commission to fulfill the expectations for free and fair elections, about which there had been a discussion for more than 40 years?, the President stated. ?The new government also has established institutions related to the important areas such as human rights, public service, courts and bribery and corruption?, he added.

?Some people question about what the new government has done so far after getting elected as if the government was elected 7-8 years ago. I like to remind them that we have passed only a short period of 10 months after being elected as the President and during that time succeeded in passing of the 19^th amendment to the constitution unanimously and holding a General Elections on August 17 and appointing a new cabinet?, the President pointed out.

President Sirisena also pointed out that the new government has implemented several plans to alleviate poverty, establishing freedom in the country, strengthening of the free health and education, improving of international relations, increasing the per-capita income of the people including farming community and for overall betterment of the country and the people. (Colombo Gazette)