New Constitution to decide fate of executive presidency, PCs: NPP

The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) met with NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe at the party's headquarters in Pelawatte, discussing the future of Sri Lanka's Executive Presidency and Provincial Council system. Abeysinghe confirmed that the JVP, the main constituent of the NPP, had long advocated for the abolition of the Executive Presidency, which is also a key pledge in the NPP election manifesto.

Nipunarachchi, another participant, stated that conducting the Provincial Council elections under the existing system was not acceptable, as the system was being changed.

CaFFE Executive Director Manas Makeen proposed that the Election Commission be granted adequate financial authority to ensure elections are held on time. Abeysinghe also requested CaFFE and other stakeholders to submit proposals for constitutional amendments for consideration.

The NPP made the abolition of Sri Lanka's Executive Presidency and the adoption of a new Constitution a central pledge in its 2024 presidential election manifesto, 'A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life'. They promised to draft and enact the new Constitution after public discussion and a referendum, while abolishing the executive presidency and replacing it with a president without executive powers elected by Parliament, and introducing a new parliamentary electoral system.

However, Public Administration Minister Chandana Abayaratne suggested in June 2026 that while this remained an electoral promise, the government did not consider it a priority at that point, as other constitutional and electoral reforms were being considered first. The opposition accuses the government of trying to retain the executive presidency by delaying the constitution-making project.