Social Integration and National Languages Minister Vasudewa Nanayakkara has demanded a referendum to abolish Executive Presidency. 

Earlier, the leftist party leaders representing the UPFA were of the view that President Mahinda Rajapaksa should take measures to abolish Executive Presidency by introducing a fresh constitutional amendment. In response, senior members of the government defended Executive Presidnecy, introduced by the late J.R. Jayawardena, stating that it ensured political stability in the country, especially at crucial times.

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Minister Vasudewa Nanayakkara has now stated that  the government should opt to go for a referendum on the matter as it would reflect the opinion of the people on Executive Presidency. "People should be the jury on abolition of Executive Presidency and it is the duty of a democratically elected government to present this matter before the people," the Minister has said in an interview with a vernacular newspaper today. 

"It is only through a referendum that we need to ascertain whether the people of this country needs Executive President," he added. 

However, the government still has not responded to the statement made by the Minister. Abolition of Executive Presidency is already gaining ground as one of the main rallying point among opposition political parties for the next Presidential Election.