Sir Robert Walpole position as the First Lord of the Treasury gradually evolved, to that of the Prime Minister. After him the office of the Prime Minister became established in the United Kingdom, evolving through the years. Today, the office of the Prime Minister is the most powerful position in the Kingdom. We can assume that Walpole conducted himself in such a manner that there was no clamour in England to do away with this office!
Compare this with the poor reputation of Sri Lanka’s hybrid presidency, a brainchild of J.R. Jayewardene, often given sage like status by his admirers – after every incumbency, led demand away with the presidency! So much for our institution building, made worse by the Draconian Constitution that has been ammended twenty-one times. In particular the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), that was introduced by then President and still used today to supress the people.
In this sinario, people want a change in the system of governance to fit a multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities living in the island made of two nations.
Northern Breeze 