On Monday, 30 August 2010, the President and Cabinet of Ministers introduced an urgent bill to make changes to the Constitution. On Tuesday, 31 August 2010, the urgent bill was referred to the Supreme Court.
Key Proposed Changes to the Constitution
- Removal of the two term limit: There will no longer be a limit on the number of times an individual can be elected to the office of the President.
- Repeal of the 17th Amendment: the Constitutional Council will be replaced with a new Parliamentary Council. The President will seek the 'observations' of the Parliamentary Council in making appointments to key governments posts. However where the Parliamentary Council fail to communicate its observations to the President within the specified time, the President can proceed to make appointments solely at his discretion.
- Restricting the role of the Election Commission: The Election Commission will no longer have the power to issue directions to prevent political parties from using state resources to advance their campaigns during elections. Further the private media will be under a duty to comply with guidelines issued by the Election Commission.
· Removal of the two term limit violates the mandate of President Rajapaksa. The proposal to remove the two term limit violates the mandate given by the people at two successive presidential elections. In 2005, Mahinda Chinthanaya 1 promised to abolish the Executive Presidency before the end of the first presidential term. Mahinda Chinthanaya 2 promised to a) reduce the powers of the executive presidency, and b) make it more accountable to Parliament. The proposed changes are totally contrary to these promises contained in the Mahinda Chinthanaya.
Via http://www.groundviews.org/2010/09/02/the-18th-amendment-to-the-constitution-process-and-substance/
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