By: Isuru Parakrama
September 23, Colombo (LNW): National People’s Power (NPP) member Sunil Handunnetti has reaffirmed that dismantling the Executive Presidency will be a central goal under the newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership.
Speaking to the press today (23), just a day after Dissanayake’s victory over Sajith Premadasa, Handunnetti declared that the people of this country has elected who he described as the ‘last executive president’ of Sri Lanka, marking the end of a political era.
“Today, you have elected the final Executive President of this country,” Handunnetti emphasised. “There will be no more Executive Presidents. We seek the public’s backing to achieve this significant reform.”
The Executive Presidency, established in 1978, has long been a contentious issue in Sri Lankan politics, with critics arguing that it centralises excessive power in one individual.
The move to abolish it is seen as a step toward promoting greater democracy and parliamentary governance in the country.
Handunnetti’s assured that the NPP is committed to delivering on its campaign promise to enact this major constitutional reform.
In addition to the planned abolition, Handunnetti hinted at a broader restructuring of political privileges, pledging significant cutbacks on perks enjoyed by politicians.
“There is a promise we made to the people: politicians won’t require what the public does not,” he remarked, underlining the government’s intent to reduce unnecessary political extravagance.
“We will keep that promise,” he added, signalling a shift towards a more frugal and accountable leadership.
