Reconciliation & Governance Tracker

Governance

Abolishing Executive Presidency

“Abolishing the executive presidency and appointing a president, without executive powers, by the parliament.”

• The NPP has not yet taken steps to abolish the executive presidential system, and President Dissanayake continues to exercise executive powers.
• The Minister of Justice and National Integration, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara reaffirmed that drafting a new constitution is a top priority and will be delivered during the NPP’s term. (The Morning)
• President Dissanayake insisted a new constitution would be introduced, but has not made any public announcements on a timeline for doing so.
• No information is publicly available about a specific timeline for such a new constitution.

New Constitution

“Introduce a new constitution that strengthens democracy and ensures equality of all citizens. This initiative will build on the constitutional reform process started in 2015 which remains incomplete. The proposed constitutional reforms will guarantee equality and democracy and the devolution of political and administrative power to every local government, district and province so that all people can be involved in governance within one country.”

• No information is publicly available about a specific timeline for such a new constitution

Directorate of Public Prosecution

“Introducing a Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) as a mechanism to eliminate delays within the judicial system and establishing a main DPP office and sub offices in the provinces which will remain independent of the Attorney General’s Department to conduct cases on behalf of the government.”

• The Ministry of Justice appointed an expert committee to explore its implementation. The proposed expert panel will consist of two representatives from the AG’s Department, the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, a senior Judge, and a representative of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. (Economy Next)