Announcing this, he said, “It is my expectation to introduce a new electoral system which is responsible to the Parliament, abolish executive presidency and transfer the powers of the President to the Parliament and independent commissions”, he said.

The President was addressing the gathering of the ceremony to hand over certificates of dual citizenships to 2000 Sri Lankan expatriates, held today (Nov. 17) at the Temple Trees.

He said required discussions are being held regarding the establishment of new constitution, fulfilling the promises given in the election manifesto. “The new government has taken actions to establish the Election Commission to fulfill the expectations for free and fair elections, about which there had been a discussion for more than 40 years”, the President stated. “The new government also has established institutions related to the important areas such as human rights, public service, courts and bribery and corruption”, he added.

“Some people question about what the new government has done so far after getting elected as if the government was elected 7-8 years ago. I like to remind them that we have passed only a short period of 10 months after being elected as the President and during that time succeeded in passing of the 19th amendment to the constitution unanimously and holding a General Elections on August 17 and appointing a new cabinet”, the President pointed out.

President Sirisena also pointed out that the new government has implemented several plans to alleviate poverty, establishing freedom in the country, strengthening of the free health and education, improving of international relations, increasing the per-capita income of the people including farming community and for overall betterment of the country and the people.

“Many people are complaining against the government because of the freedom of expression has been restored. Some Ministers in the Cabinet who were afraid of talking in the past, are now talking against the government as they enjoy this freedom”, the President said. He also stated it’s everyone’s responsibility to enjoy that freedom with discipline and understanding and to safeguard that freedom, join together to assist the government’s program for the nation’s progress.

“It’s the objective of the new government to build the country as a cultured state, standing with the developed countries in the world at par through these new transformations carried out in the country,” he said.

The system of the dual citizenship was introduced in 1987 while about 40, 000 people have been benefitted so far.

This is the third time the new government is offering these dual citizenships.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers John Amarathunga, Mangala Samaraweera, S. B. Navinna, D. M. Swaminadan, Arjuna Ranathunga, Ministry Secretaries and government officers participated in this occasion.