The NPP government has reportedly decided to retain the executive presidency and abandon plans for a new constitution, with internal sources confirming that Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be the party’s candidate at the next presidential election, contradicting key pledges in its 2024 policy manifesto.
The National People’s Power government has firmly decided to retain the executive presidency and not introduce a new constitution, according to internal sources within both the government and the party. The next presidential election will be held under the existing constitution, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be the NPP candidate.
Sources indicate that there is no plan or preparation to abolish the executive presidency or introduce a new constitution aimed at doing so. The consensus within the NPP and the JVP is that Anura Kumara Dissanayake should contest and win the next presidential election as the party’s candidate.
An executive member of the NPP told “Anidda” that since Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed the presidency, there has been no discussion within the party about abolishing the executive presidency. “There is no way a new constitution can be introduced and passed in the foreseeable future,” he said.
The view within both parties is that since no strong opposition candidate is likely to emerge and the President remains high in popularity, there is no need to move toward abolishing the executive presidency. Instead, the powers of that office should continue to be utilized by the NPP.
However, the NPP’s 2024 presidential election manifesto, titled “A Prosperous Nation, a Beautiful Life,” clearly stated on page 194 that the party would introduce a new constitution abolishing the executive presidency. It said, “A new constitution will be drafted, presented to the people for discussion, and after necessary amendments, will be adopted through a referendum.”
The manifesto further stated on page 230 that the process would expedite the drafting of a new constitution, establishing a parliamentary system and creating a president without executive powers.
