Sri lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday asked parliamentarian to help him in adopting the contentious 19th amendment aimed at abolishing executive presidency. Sirisena in an address to the nation today at the completion of 100 days of his government told lawmakers, "You are presented with a historical opportunity." His passionate plea came as his own party members scuttled the attempt to present the 19A in parliament early this week.
The 19A was Sirisena's main pledge in his campaign against Mahinda Rajapaksa in the January 8 election. Sirisena ought to have dissolved parliament today to call a fresh parliamentary poll. He now waits until next week to do so upon adopting the 19A coupled with electoral reforms. The 19A would see pruning of Presidential powers to make parliament more powerful while allowing for independent commissions to depoliticise governance. listing his achievements since being made President, Sirisena said he had ensured democratic freedoms in the country.