Constitution should be changed to restrict a PM’s term also to two
The powers of the President under the presidential form of government introduced by the late J. R. Jayewardene were all powerful and the Prime Minister was reduced to the status of a peon, as admitted by late Mr. Premadasa.
Presently with the inclusion of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of our country, things have come to a climax with this game of power sharing between the President and Prime Minister. The powers of the President have been drastically reduced and the Prime Minister’s powers have been increased tremendously making both posts equally powerful as it is evident today.
However, while a person who has served two terms as president is ineligible to contest again, a Prime Minister who has held that post for more than two terms is eligible to continue, regardless of any restrictions. Isn’t it unfair that a President who has been directly elected by the people is restricted to two terms, while a person who is elected by one district is eligible to continue as Prime Minister for many terms? Therefore, it is high time an amendment is passed in Parliament restricting the term of the Prime Minister to two terms regardless of whether he/she has served consecutively for two terms or not, with retrospective effect.
Of course such legislation can be passed only if parliamentarians take a vote by secret ballot. It is only then that any of our representatives in Parliament will be able to exercise their vote independently devoid of party affiliations and survive thereafter without the wrath of the party hierarchy. This course of action may bring some good results indirectly. It will provide more opportunities to young members who have leadership qualities to serve the country better instead of having to spend many years under the thumb of one person, who continues to be the Prime Minister until his or her demise. Under the present system, a young leader will get the opportunity to reach the post of Prime Minister only when he is in his 60s or 70s
Therefore, it is essential we collectively raise our voices to amend the Constitution to restrict the period of the office of a Prime Minister to a maximum of two terms. R.W.W.- Via email