Leftist parties in Sri Lanka’s governing UPFA opposed to the proposed constitutional amendments

Socialist allies of the governing UPFA have decided to submit a separate set of proposals for constitutional amendments, which include the abolishing of the Executive Presidency.

The Common Left Front comprising the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), Sri Lanka Communist Party (SLCP) and the Democratic Left Front (DLF) have decided to hold a seminar at the National Library Association Auditorium on May 31 to discuss their proposals.

The Leftist parties are opposed to the government’s proposal to extend the two term limit for an Executive President to hold office in Sri Lanka in line with the Constitution.

  DLF Leader and parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara had said yesterday (21) that the Common Left Front would propose the setting up of the post of an Executive Prime Minister to replace the Executive Presidency.

“The Common Left Front expects to come to a consensus and finalize its proposals for amending the constitution and electoral reforms the government intends to submit to parliament shortly,” Nanayakkara has been quoted as saying. 

SLCP Leader and Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara has said the Common Left Front would submit its own proposals to the proposed constitutional amendments.

Meanwhile, the LSSP has also said the party could not agree with some of the proposed amendments and expected to submit its own proposals that will strengthen democracy, transparency and good governance.