Presidential Powers Curbed By Sri Lanka Parliament

Sri Lanka's parliament voted on Tuesday to amend the country's constitution to clip the powers of the president. 



Alongside reducing the broad powers of the executive presidency, the allowed term was reduced from six to five years. 



The island's 225-member legislature overwhelmingly supported the new constitutional amendment, with only one voting against. Seven members were absent in addition to Basil Rajapaksa -- the brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa -- who was arrested last week for alleged misappropriation of public funds.



As well as restoring a two-term limit for the president, removed by Rajapaksa, the amendment transfers control of institutions like the judiciary and police from the president to independent commissions. 



The move also gives parliament increased power, so that it can not be unduly influenced by the president. 



Many Sri Lankans had become increasingly concerned by Rajapaksa's use of his executive powers, accusing him of authoritarian rule. 



He called on all political parties to support a reduction in the powers of the  executive presidency, to strengthen independent commissions and to transfer more powers to the legislature.



The debate on the constitutional amendment was thrice postponed due to demands made by the main opposition led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. 



Large protests were also staged in the island's capital, Colombo, in support of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, and by four opposition parties who opposed the change. 



The two-day debate began when President Maithripala Sirisena, elected in January on a mandate of democratic reform, presented the proposed amendment to the Parliament on April 27. 



He told parliament that people have voted for the changes, promised during the election. 



"12 million people have voted in favor of this electoral pledge. The people's representatives should give expression to that public sentiment," he said.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Colombo