Clan stands in way of push to curb powers of Sri Lanka presidency

After Sri Lankan protesters booted out former leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa earlier this year, his allies are now looking to water down their demands to curb the powers of the island nation's presidency.

Lawmakers on Thursday were set to kick off a debate on a constitutional amendment that would curb sweeping powers granted to the president to make the position more accountable to lawmakers.

The move is at the heart of plans by current President Ranil Wickremesinghe to calm public anger against Mr. Rajapaksa, who led the South Asian nation to its worst economic crisis since independence.

Still, some lawmakers allied to the Rajapaksa family have been clamouring to scale down the so-called 22nd amendment by wresting back power to the president, delaying the date on which the executive could dissolve Parliament, and allowing dual citizens to hold positions in government. Some are even pushing to scrap the amendments altogether in favour of drafting a new Constitution.

Both moves would help ease a political comeback for the family that dominated the nation's politics for two decades.

Rajapaksa allies are hoping the tactics will also delay national elections another key demand of the opposition and protesters - buying the former president and his family more time to regroup.