Sirisena Clarifies 19th Amendment Purpose to Limit Executive Powers

News Today: Former President Sirisena Explains 19th Amendment

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has clarified the purpose of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, emphasizing that it was intended to limit the powers of the Executive Presidency and reduce the President’s term from six to five years. This clarification comes after President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently blamed President’s Counsel Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne for failing to amend Article 83(b) of the Constitution.

Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne expressed regret over the President’s criticism, stating that he was unjustly held responsible for not reducing the upper limits of the terms for the President and Parliament. In response, Sirisena highlighted that the 19th Amendment aimed to abolish the 18th Amendment, which had granted unlimited powers to the Executive Presidency.

Sirisena, who was a common candidate during his tenure, reiterated that the primary goal of the 19th Amendment was to curtail the excessive powers held by the Executive Presidency. By reducing the term of office from six to five years, the amendment sought to ensure a more balanced and democratic governance structure.

The debate surrounding the amendment has sparked discussions within the political sphere, with various leaders expressing their views on the matter. While Sirisena’s clarification aims to set the record straight, the broader implications of the amendment continue to be a topic of significant interest.

The controversy underscores the ongoing struggle to balance power within the Sri Lankan political system. As the nation reflects on these constitutional changes, the focus remains on ensuring that governance is conducted in a manner that promotes accountability and limits the concentration of power.