In a last ditch effort to abolish the Executive Presidency, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has decided to take a final decision on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in May.
JVP frontliner K.D Lalkantha told the Sunday Observer that the party would decide on the final course of action on the 20th Amendment proposed by them which seeks to abolish the Executive Presidency during the first week of the month.
“As the Presidential elections draw near, we have been forced to take a decision on the proposed Amendment,” he said adding that following discussions, the JVP would opt for a decision of the two possible courses of action. According to Lalkantha, the JVP is considering the possibility of presenting the 20th Amendment again before Parliament and would call for a vote. “Following the presentation of the Budget, the 20th Amendment would be taken up,” he said.
However, failing to muster support, the JVP politburo member said that the party would be forced to unmask politicians and political parties who once appeared as championing the cause. He accused politicians of working towards their personal agendas instead.
“Many politicians assured the public that the Executive Presidency would be scrapped but failed to follow through,” he said adding that, therefore, the party would disclose these details to the people and remind them of the promises made by these people.
JVP members recently met various people of political camps to secure their support for the Constitutional reforms which seeks to abolish the Executive Presidency in its current form. However, the scales appear to be tipped in favour of yet another Presidential election to be held in 2020.
According to Lalkantha, the JVP will be forced to prepare themselves to face this possibility and therefore, a decision will be made on the fate of the 20th Amendment. “As a party, we cannot delay any longer,” he said.
Backers of the major Constitutional reforms dubbed the 20th Amendment as the last chance to prevent a return to autocracy and brutality in Sri Lanka.
Abolishing the Executive Presidency to curtail its extensive powers was one of the main demands from the Government by civil society groups, the Purawesi Balaya and National Movement for a Just Society led by the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera.