Cabinet approval was granted this morning to President Maithripala Sirisena's proposal to abolish the executive presidency and amend the electoral system.

The President gave a pledge to carry out these reforms on the day of Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera's funeral.

Powers of executive presidency were curtailed through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Sobithe Thera had been urging for the abolishment of the executive presidency through the National Movement for Social Justice during the last few years.