Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today (19) that the government has initiated steps to abolish the Executive Presidency and establish a parliamentary system of government, including the appointment of a President without executive powers, through the drafting of a new Constitution.
She also said that measures are being taken to hold long-delayed Provincial Council elections, which have been stalled due to provisions in the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 2017.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while responding to a question raised by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27(2).
Dr. Amarasuriya said it is not possible to abolish the Executive Presidential system without introducing a new Constitution, and confirmed that studies are currently underway to examine the process and possible methods of abolition.
“The necessary steps to abolish the Executive Presidency, establish a parliamentary system of government and appoint a President without executive powers will be undertaken during the drafting of the new Constitution,” she said.
She added that while the government is addressing the country’s urgent economic and social challenges, abolishing the Executive Presidency remains a key focus, and that relevant timelines will be announced in due course.
The Prime Minister further stated that studies are also underway on introducing new legislation and legal amendments required to establish a Government Prosecutor’s Office.
Referring to the government’s policy statement “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, Dr. Amarasuriya said the administration intends to draft a new Constitution, which will be presented to the public for dialogue and discussion, followed by necessary amendments. The revised draft will then be submitted for approval at a referendum.
She said that reports prepared by previous constitutional reform committees, along with other reform proposals, are currently being reviewed, after which a basic concept paper will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers.
On Provincial Council elections, the Prime Minister said steps are being taken to hold them at the earliest possible time. However, she explained that under Section 3(b) of Act No. 17 of 2017, a Delimitation Commission appointed by the President must first submit a report on electoral boundaries and the number of electoral districts, which must then receive parliamentary approval.
The failure to hold Provincial Council elections so far, she said, is due to the incomplete delimitation process required by law.
Accordingly, a study is currently being conducted to determine whether elections should proceed after completing delimitation, or whether amendments should be introduced to Act No. 17 of 2017 to enable elections to be held sooner.
“A decision on holding the Provincial Council elections will be taken after the completion of this study,” the Prime Minister said, adding that funds have already been allocated in the 2026 Budget to conduct the elections once the required processes are completed.
