Minister Mangala Samaraweera, at a media briefing held at the UNP Headquarters, Sirikotha, on Wednesday evening stated:

You may remember how he tried to abolish all the executive powers through the 19th amendment as it could be done without a public referendum.

He stated:

For certain clauses, the Supreme Court determined that not only must there be a two-thirds majority, there should also be a referendum and for the first time in history, a president is proposing to curtail his own powers. And after the completion of President Maithripala Sirisena’s tenure – from the next presidency – the executive presidency will be abolished once and for all, from this country.