MP Professor G.L. Peiris asserted the necessity of conducting the presidential election between September 17th and October 17th, with the new president sworn in before November 17th. Peiris made these remarks during a press conference held in Colombo today (19).
Peiris underscored the obligation of the Election Commission to announce the presidential election by the end of July or early August this year. He cautioned that failure to hold the election on time would render the government after November 18th non-compliant with the law.
Expressing doubt about the feasibility of garnering a two-thirds majority in parliament to abolish the executive presidency, Peiris called for direct public consultation on the matter. He suggested that citizens should be directly queried about abolishing the executive presidency, signaling a desire for change amidst public discontent with the current government.
Peiris emphasized the Election Commission’s exclusive authority to announce the presidential election, dismissing the role of the Presidential Secretariat. He highlighted the right of any citizen to challenge the results of a referendum.
Asserting that the abolition of the Executive President’s office is a complex process intrinsically linked to the Constitution, Peiris stressed the need for a government and parliament that accurately represent popular opinion before amending the fundamental law of the country.
