Former CJ trots out his governance manthra for opposition

Former chief justice, Sarath N Silva, revealed last week that he was providing input on constitutional reform to the joint opposition, particularly with regard to reshaping the executive presidency.
In an interview with LAKBIMAnEWS, Mr Silva said he wants to do “what he can” in assisting the United National Front in setting achievable targets. According to his proposals, the position of elected president would remain but parliament would become the supreme body. There will be someone answerable to parliament in respect of every ministry and, through parliament, to the people.
Positions such as commander-in-chief of the armed forces will remain while the president would also head the National Security Council. The president will not hold any portfolios, not even finance, but will be permitted to attend cabinet. “I think there has to be a check on cabinet by the president on the one hand and parliament on the other,” Mr Silva elaborated. “There will be far greater accountability.”
Mr Silva said it was more a question of limiting the powers of the presidency rather than complete abolition. “Even assuming Sarath Fonseka wins, he will be an elected president so we can’t reduce him to the status of ceremonial president,” he said. “I’m working on some kind of prescription. It won’t require serious amendments.”