President Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterates that Parliament has been vested with the power to make changes to the constitution including on the matter of the Executive Presidency.The President made this statement at the “Haritha Udana” Farmers’ Conference, held in Kandy on Thursday.
This is a time when the opposition rants away regarding the Executive Presidential System. We appointed a Parliament Select Committee a long time ago to change the constitution. We have even heard testimony there. Some have come there and testified that the Executive Presidential System must be abolished immediately. Others say that if this system is abolished the ghost of the LTTE will arise and the country will be divided.
A country cannot progress with an unstable government. Various individuals have come forward and have given various testimonies. Although I am the Executive President, this must be decided by a two thirds majority in Parliament. The next step is a referendum. I have given parliament the power to do this. I used executive powers to free the country. To ensure national security. To protect the country from foreign interference.
The constitution is not a mere publication. If we try to amend it from month to month, it will become like an annual magazine. It will not be a constitution. This cannot be done. We cannot jest with a country.
Speaking at the occasion of the opening of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Auditorium at the Polgolla National Co-operative Institution on Thursday evening, the President expressed the following views:
For democracy to prevail in a country, the opposition must be strong and a leader must come forward to contest the election. By now, they should have found a person to contest. I am saddened that they have been unable to find someone as yet. They accuse me saying that I took various people over here, but this is a like a saloon door, and they can come and go. I have stated this very clearly.
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