Reform bill to clip presidential powers submitted

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s justice minister submitted a proposed constitutional amendment to Parliament that would clip the powers of the president, a key demand of protesters calling for political reforms and solutions to the country’s worst economic crisis, according to The Associated Press.

Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe presented a bill that would transfer some presidential powers — including those to appoint independent election commission members, police and public service officials, and bribery and corruption investigators — to a constitutional council comprising lawmakers and respected non-politicians.

The council would then recommend candidates for appointments that the president could choose from.

Under the proposed amendments, presidents would only be able to appoint chief justices, other senior judges, attorney generals and central bank governors on the recommendation of the council.

The prime minister would recommend appointments to the Cabinet and the president would not be allowed to hold any ministry positions except defense.

The bill, which will undergo debate, must be approved by two-thirds of Sri Lanka’s 225-member Parliament to become law.

If passed into law, the amendments would reinstate democratic reforms made in 2015.

Current President Ranil Wickremesinghe has promised to limit the powers of the presidency and strengthen Parliament in response to the protesters’ demands.