This Article is From Dec 01, 2014

Sri Lanka's Opposition Candidate Vows to Scrap Presidential System

Sri Lanka's Opposition Candidate Vows to Scrap Presidential System

Sri Lanka's opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to abolish the Presidential system. (Associated Press)

Colombo: Former Sri Lankan Health Minister Maitrhripala Sirisena, who has emerged the opposition challenger to President Mahinda Rajapakse in the coming elections, has signed an agreement with opposition parties, trade unions and professionals to scrap the country's powerful presidential system and carry out other democratic reforms if he wins the January polls.

Maithripala Sirisena led a revolt in Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Freedom Party last month and announced he will run in the January 8 election, with the backing of the country's main opposition United National Party.

Sirisena pledged Monday to make the police, judiciary and government bureaucracy independent from political interference within 100 days of being elected.

He has accused Rajapaksa of nepotism, corruption and turning the country into an autocracy. Eight other ministers and lawmakers have also defected from the government to support Sirisena.

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