Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne today stated in Parliament that the government did not intend to abolish Executive Presidency. 

The Prime Minister, while taking part in the budget debate on behalf of the government, added that executive powers were needed to govern the country and ensure the well-being of the people. 

"There are various problems that we have to deal with when governing the country. To address them, adequate powers should be vested in the President," Prime Minister Jayaratne added reflecting the stance of the government over the matter. 

"The conduct of the government is akin to that of a parent who look after his children. No one can raise children without adequate powers to guide them," the Prime Minister added.

Meanwhile, speaking to Sunday Times newspaper, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had told that there should not be special constitutional measures on the President's answerability to Parliament. 

"I am answerable to Parliament even now. I am empowered to sit in the House. In which country that has a presidential system is the President subject to judicial action. They would then be spending all their time in the courthouse,” President Rajapaksa told the Sunday Times this week. 

He had said the subject of electoral reforms was one that is very much receiving the Government’s keen attention.