Mahinda Rajapakse had increased the powers vested in the Presidency during his second term.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has promised to reform his country's powerful presidency as part of a new constitution that he intends to introduce if he is elected to office for a third term in January.
Rajapaksa's promise Tuesday in his policy statement comes in response to increasing public support to his main challenger Maithripala Sirisena's campaign on democratic reforms, including heavily reducing presidential powers and strengthening Parliament.
Rajapaksa said he would ask Parliament to draw up a new constitution and reform the presidency within one year of being elected.
Rajapaksa had used an overwhelming election success previously to scrap two-term limits and give himself the power to appoint all key officials.