Executive presidency could be compared to the position held by a leader of a barbarian tribe says Leader of the JVP group of Parliamentarians Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Just as everything was decided according to whims and fancies of the tribal leader then, under the executive presidential system everything happens according to the needs of the President pointed out Mr. Dissanayake.

Speaking at a media meeting held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta today (25th) Mr. Dissanayake said, Sri Lanka is a country that honours representative democracy. However, executive presidency has subdued the cabinet to the monopoly of an individual. No cabinet paper that the President does not approve could be passed in the cabinet. Despite there are ministers their function is only nominal. No minister could do anything without the approval of the President.

There was a plan to issue an electronic identity card. This subject belonged to the Prime Minister. However, at a cabinet meeting where the Prime Minister was absent, the President rejected the tender the PM had forwarded and awarded it to a confidant of the President. The PM had decided to award the tender after a complete investigation had been carried out by secretaries and chairmen. But none of these was relevant to the President. He didn`t have to go through any of that, said Mr. Dissanayake.

Speaking further Mr. Dissanayake said, Now the cabinet is Gotabhaya Rajapakse, Basil Rajapakse, Mahinda Rajapakse and Dulles Alahapperuma who acts as the peon of Rajapakse brothers` company. The power of the Parliament has been negated. The ministers have no way of answering any question. All powers have been concentrated in the Secretary to the President.

We have seen this system in the tribal era. In that society there was a tribal leader and everything was done according to his whims and fancies. The modern society has developed. However, we continue with tribal characteristics. As a result this executive presidency has destroyed all democratic processes, pointed out Mr. Dissanayake.

Mr. Dissanayake said Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse who came to power in 2005 promising to abolish executive presidency has no right to hold anymore presidential elections. He said his party would take all measures to rally masses against any attempt of the government to hold a presidential election against the mandate given by the people.

Member of Western Provincial Council Waruna Deepthe Rajapakse too was present.