Sri Lanka’s embattled Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has proposed changes to the constitution to create a responsible government that meets the people’s aspirations amid massive protests over the government’s handling of the economy. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Mahinda Rajapaksa intends to propose a new constitutional amendment to the Cabinet to meet the aspirations of the people.

The prime minister is expected to propose a constitutional amendment to the cabinet, including the executive, judiciary, and legislature, state-run daily Mainichi reported on Tuesday. According to the Colombo news portal, Rajapaksa said he was particularly concerned about demands from various quarters to establish a government that is accountable to the people.

Based on these requests, it said, he hoped to present to the Cabinet a proposal for a new constitutional amendment that would include executive, legislative and judicial positive aspects. The prime minister said I hope the revised constitution will fulfil the people’s aspirations. Part of the cause of the crisis is a lack of foreign exchange, which means the country cannot afford to import staples and fuel, leading to severe shortages and very high prices.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa acknowledged that mistakes such as a 2020 ban on fertilisers and not seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund contributed to the current economic crisis. President Rajapaksa, the younger brother of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, also said his government should have opted for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout earlier.

Speaking to newly appointed cabinet ministers, the president called his decision to ban fertilisers in agriculture “a mistake”, and those corrective measures are being taken. On Monday, President Rajapaksa appointed a new 17-member cabinet, excluding his close relatives except for Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as he called for the worst situation facing the island nation. The growing demand for resignations amid the economic crisis prompted him to call for “system change”.

Farmers have protested the move, saying there will be food shortages due to crop reductions/loss of farmland yields. Still, the government continued to take action and crackdown on shopkeepers and merchants after reports of hoarding of staples. Commenting on the ongoing public protests, President Rajapaksa said: “I can understand the anger of the people who have to endure the high cost of living while also suffering from queuing up to buy necessities.”

The government has resisted calls by economists to turn to the International Monetary Fund for help, given its dwindling foreign reserves. A government delegation is currently negotiating with the IMF in Washington after the IMF announced last week that the island had defaulted on its first international debt.