03-12-2004, 07:23 PM
Kumaratunga's political alliance says it will abolish presidency
Associated Press, Fri March 12, 2004 03:30 EST
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) President Chandrika Kumaratunga's political alliance said it will introduce a new constitution that scraps Sri Lanka - 's powerful presidency, if it wins April 2 parliamentary elections. The alliance said that if elected, it would form a parliamentary committee to write the new constitution, which it would put before Sri Lanka - 's 19 million people in a referendum. Any changes to the constitution currently require a two-thirds majority of Parliament. Sri Lanka - , a former British colony called Ceylon, had a completely parliamentary democracy until Wickremesinghe's United National Front Party changed it in 1977, creating a presidential position. The president can sack the government and call elections at any time, and is also the head of the country's armed forces.
Associated Press, Fri March 12, 2004 03:30 EST
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) President Chandrika Kumaratunga's political alliance said it will introduce a new constitution that scraps Sri Lanka - 's powerful presidency, if it wins April 2 parliamentary elections. The alliance said that if elected, it would form a parliamentary committee to write the new constitution, which it would put before Sri Lanka - 's 19 million people in a referendum. Any changes to the constitution currently require a two-thirds majority of Parliament. Sri Lanka - , a former British colony called Ceylon, had a completely parliamentary democracy until Wickremesinghe's United National Front Party changed it in 1977, creating a presidential position. The president can sack the government and call elections at any time, and is also the head of the country's armed forces.
<span style='font-size:20pt;line-height:100%'>Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.</span>