Decks cleared to cut Chandrika's powers

Sri lanka's ruling United National Front (UNF) government party last night gave final approval for proposed constitutional amendments to curtail Presidential powers, setting the stage for an open confrontation with the main opposition People's Alliance led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The proposals were for the first time approved by the cabinet on Tuesday night at a special meeting without Kumaratunga whose party has decided not to support the amendments. The amendments will be taken up for voting in parliament shortly.

President Kumaratunga officially informed the cabinet that she did not agree to the proposed amendments while reiterating that she would not dissolve parliament, despite having the power to do so.

In a note to the cabinet, Kumaratunga explained she had discussed the proposed amendments with the party and there was unanimous consensus among the party members that their party should not agree to the amendments.

One of the main objectives of the government in moving the amendment has been to ensure stability of the government and parliament by preventing Kumaratunga from going ahead to dissolve parliament and opt for snap polls.

Kumaratunga, under the existing constitution, is entitled to dissolve parliament after the government completes one year in office. The first of the six year term of the ruling UNF will be completed on December 5.

The proposed amendments will allow the President to dissolve parliament only on a resolution moved by the members of parliament signed by at least one half of the entire number of parliamentarians.

Earlier, the government was planning to drop the vote of conscience which enables MPs to vote according to their will, without following the party Whip.

The amendment will give MPs a constitutional guarantee that they cannot be expelled from the party nor can disciplinary action be taken for voting according to their conscience or even abstaining.

UNF sources said they were confident of obtaining the required two-thirds majority in the 225 seat parliament with some of the members of Kumaratunga's party openly indicating that they would vote for the amendments.

One of the PA's senior members, Richard Pathirana told a group of journalists that notwithstanding the PA's decision to oppose the amendments, he would vote for the amendments.