The government says the long-promised abolition of the Executive Presidency is finally moving from manifesto pledge to constitutional action.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya today assured Parliament that the Executive Presidency will be abolished, in line with the commitment made in the National People’s Power manifesto, through the adoption of a new Constitution.
Responding to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the process to draft a new Constitution has already begun. She explained that the government is currently reviewing previous committee reports, expert recommendations, and earlier constitutional proposals as part of this groundwork.
“The Executive Presidency will be abolished through the proposed new Constitution,” she told the House, stressing that the reform cannot be implemented in isolation or through piecemeal legal changes.
Amarasuriya said a detailed concept paper outlining the framework of the new Constitution will be presented to the Cabinet in due course, marking a formal step toward institutional reform.
She added that a focused study has been initiated specifically on dismantling the Executive Presidency, noting that such a fundamental shift in governance requires comprehensive constitutional restructuring rather than amendments to the existing system.
The Prime Minister’s assurance comes amid renewed public debate on constitutional reform, separation of powers, and democratic accountability, with the government positioning the new Constitution as a key pillar of its broader governance reform agenda.
