In a measure seen as clipping President Chandrika Kumaratunga's wings, the Sri Lankan government on Friday said it would seek to amend the Constitution to remove the President's power to dissolve Parliament without the Prime Minister's consent. Outlining the steps contemplated by the government to usher in a new political culture of consensus in the country, cabinet spokesman and constitutional affairs minister G L Peiris rejected a suggestion that the moves would antagonize the President in the midst of a peace process.
A summary of the proposed 18th constitution amendment released by Peiris said Article 70, which allows the president to dissolve parliament after one year from the date of a general election, would be amended to enable dissolution only with the Prime Minister's consent or that of a majority of legislators.
So long as the government enjoys the confidence of the majority of members of parliament, dissolution will not be possible, Peiris said. Asked if the steps would not antagonize the President, Peiris replied in the negative. We don't believe so. For us, it is to inculcate a new culture of consensual politics.
Besides, he argued, the provision against dissolution without the consent of the Prime Minister or a majority of members of Parliament was in line with international democratic practice. One must see whether it (the provision for dissolving Parliament at the will of the President) is right or wrong.