Does Ven. Sobhitha’s proposal have legs?

Vishnuguptha
 In my last week’s column I wrote about the Executive Presidency and how its powers have been used and abused by almost all holders of that office leading up to the present President. I also expressed my reservations about the traces of ‘affirmative action’ that the proposed amendment to the Constitution that intends to replace the Executive Presidency is suggesting. I do not wish to dwell on it any further, but wish to state that if no other compromising formula is spelt out and available,

Sobitha Thero and team present constitutional reform proposal

Rev. Maduluwawe Sobitha

• Sweeping reforms call for abolition of presidency, executive prime minister, shortening of Parliament life to five years and a caretaker government during elections
• Movement to field common candidate to abolish system within 120 days of poll if MR fails to do away with system

Proposals for sweeping constitutional reform founded on the basis of the abolition of the presidential system, drafted by a team of senior lawyers, was handed over to the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters in Kandy yesterday.