With the conclusion of the presidential and the general election, Sri Lanka is contemplating amendments to the 1978 Constitution to do away with the much-debated proportional representation and switch over to first-past-the-post system.
According to Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the government intends to amend the Constitution before President Mahinda Rajapaksa begins his second term.
Though he was re-elected in January, the tenure of Mr. Rajapaksa would commence on November 19 as per an opinion given by the Supreme Court on a reference from the government.
Mr. Silva told a public rally in his parliamentary constituency that a draft legislation required to do away with the proportional representation system is ready for implementation within the next few months.
However, he could not be reached to ascertain if the amendments would be limited to the system or go beyond.
There is consensus among all the major parties on the need for electoral reforms. All the major parties are agreed on the need to make the President accountable to Parliament. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the main opposition the United National Party have pledged to do away with the Executive Presidency .
