By Shamindra Ferdinando

Civil society activist Gamini Viyangoda has proposed that a referendum on the executive presidential system could be held along with the next parliamentary election.

Pointing out that in terms of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, the President could dissolve Parliament two and a half years after the last parliamentary election, Viyangoda has urged those who backed the abolition of the executive presidency to seek a consensus with the government on the matter.

The Purawesi Balaya activist said so at a meeting called by Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) on much needed national reforms and way forward at the Opposition Leader’s Office at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha on Monday (04).

SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, MP, and SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena, MP, jointly chaired the meeting that was attended by a group of civil society activists, including Victor Ivan, K.W. Janaranjana, Prof. Rohan Samarajiva and Ravi Kumudesh.

Viyangoda explained that a consensus with Gotabaya Rajapaksa was nothing but a prerequisite as the executive President he exercised the power to dissolve parliament and call for a non-binding referendum.Responding to The Island queries yesterday (05), Viyangoda said that those who participated at Monday’s meeting were of the view that formation of a genuine all-party government should be subjected to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa giving an assurance and a date of intended resignation.

Addressing the gathering at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Viyangoda said that except for SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the 2019 presidential election, all previous winners of elections since 1994 made abolition of executive presidency their primary pledge, but later more or less reneged on those pledges.

Having vowed to further consolidate the executive presidency, incumbent President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on May 11 assured the country that he would restore the provisions in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and strengthen the parliamentary system. The President also declared his readiness to discuss the abolition of the executive presidential system with all stakeholders, Viyangoda recalled.

Viyangoda called for an early consensus among political parties campaigning for the abolition of the executive presidency.

Viyangoda acknowledged that even if the majority voted at the referendum to abolish the executive presidency and the same matter received a 2/3 approval in Parliament, still it would have to be decided by the Supreme Court. But if the majority voted against the abolition of executive presidency, it wouldn’t be an issue any longer

Viyangoda told The Island that it would be the responsibility of the Opposition to create what he called an environment conducive for the President to accept the reality. The civil society activist compared the consensus the UNP-led grouping reached with the then common candidate Maithripala Sirisena as regards the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Viyangoda emphasized that both parties would have to compromise if they were serious about reaching consensus.

Senior Vice President of the SLFP Prof. Rohana Lakshman said that the meeting was meant to explore ways and means of finalizing a common programme. When The Island sought an explanation why the former President hadn’t been accompanied by SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera or at least some other MPs, Prof. Lakshman said that the SJB extended the invitation to the SLFP leader.

The country was in such a desperate situation consensus was required soon, Prof. Lakshman said, urging all political parties represented in parliament to work towards a solution or face the consequences.

The SJB and the SLFP won 54 and 14 seats at the last parliamentary elections. Two each elected on the SJB and SLFP tickets recently switched their allegiance to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Prof. Lakshman said that the current crisis couldn’t be addressed by consolidating political power at the expense of goodwill of Opposition political parties.