Constitutional reform discussions to continue

Thursday, 6 July 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government yesterday stressed that it will go ahead with constitutional amendments despite the statement by the Mahananayake Theros against the move.

“This is a decision for the Parliament. They will decide. How long can we go on without a new Constitution?” Cabinet co-spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne asked while speaking to reporters at the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

“There are six committees appointed in which some secretaries are from the Opposition. The reports formulated by these six committees will be submitted to Parliament. If it is passed by a two-thirds majority and if the Supreme Court orders to go for a referendum, the people can come up with their opinions,” he said.

Highlighting that the Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan has insisted on a referendum before a new Constitution was adopted, Senaratne said that those who were opposed to it could express their views during a vote.

Appealing to different political forces to not demonise the process for narrow political gains, co-spokesperson Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that publicly criticising matters related to the formulation of the new Constitution that are still at the discussion stage under various committees would only hinder the process.

Issuing a statement, the Steering Committee to the Constitutional Assembly yesterday clarified that the Mahanayakes of the thry nikayas were invited for the conference on constitutional reforms held at the BMICH.

Last week the Mahanayakes stated that they were not invited to the conference. This week a Sangha Sabha decision was taken by the thry nikayas that the country does not need a new Constitution.