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CBK
acts to reduce powers of president Another constitutional amen-dment under consideration is a provision to make it mandatory for the President to consult the Prime Minister in the formation of a Cabinet. At present the Constitution (Article 44) makes such consultation by the President only where considered necessary. Whilst draft amendments are being prepared, it is not clear how the President will seek the support of all political parties to obtain a two thirds majority to enshrine them in the Constitution. However, such amendments are being considered in the backdrop of an impending Presidential election any time next year. President Kumaratunga will not contest the Presidential elections in view of having completed two terms in accordance with the Constitution. In view of this, her Sri Lanka Freedom Party will have to determine the next candidate. Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse is a hot favourite whilst others including Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike are staking their claims. The proposed amendments, UPFA sources say, were intended to give greater flexibility in the event she chooses to become Prime Minister at a later date. Last Tuesday, the UPFA Government's junior partner, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) decided it would field its own candidate without supporting one from another party. This is after quitting the UPFA if President Kumaratunga concedes the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The decision was made by the JVP's politburo and is to be ratified by the central committee at a meeting today. President Kumaratunga has also examined the possibility of amending election laws to increase the number of MPs in Parliament. |
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