Dinesh: Unitary State, place of Buddhism omitted in new proposals

3 January 2016 07:27 am - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The government had omitted certain significant Articles of the 1978 Constitution, including those on upholding the Unitary State of the country and giving foremost place to Buddhism from the new Constitution, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) MP Dinesh Gunawardane charged today.

Speaking at a media briefing MP Gunawardane said the people were not informed about the omission of two Articles, which mainly affect the country.

He charged that the government’s intention was to obtain approval of the people through a referendum only for two issues - to abolition of the Executive Presidency and replacement of the Proportional Representation System with the First Past the Post System.

He claimed that the clauses about the Unitary State and place of Buddhism had not been mentioned in the document submitted to MPs with regard to the proposals to be presented to Parliament on January 9.

He said he suspected whether the changes were a result of the proposals presented by the Tamil National Alliance, and the Muslim Congress.

“Even though the first anniversary of the government is falling on January 9, pledges made by the government to the people have not yet been fulfilled. The so-called good-governance and economic development are not established in the country. Meanwhile, the country is being going to another dangerous situation. If these proposals are made laws, eventually the country will be divided into two. The government should carefully work on the proposals which affect the country without being relied on political parties. We should stand against this dangerous situation irrespective of caste and religion,” MEP Leader said.

He said before major changes regarding the Unitary State or the place of Buddhism are made in the proposed new Constitution, people should be consulted at a referendum.

Speaking on the abolishing of Executive Presidency, he said even if the Executive Presidency should be abolished, certain powers which decide on the national security should remain as they are needed to make strong decisions on issues pertaining to national security. (Piyumi Fonseka)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 22

OMG Sunday, 03 January 2016 05:00 PM

Sri Lankans are still stuck in British era, don't know when our people will come out of mind set that Buddhist, Tamil, Muslims, Christians etc. Singapore is a tiny country than SL. Take a lesson from them. If we call our self Sri Lankans we will be a developed county one day. Otherwise we will be 3rd world country forever or even worst.

path Monday, 04 January 2016 03:40 PM

4 ethnic people live practicing 4 religions.So NEW Const has to be FEDERAL

suresh Monday, 04 January 2016 02:30 PM

India has has Muslim and Sikh prime ministers and presidents, and so has Singapore

Asoka Monday, 04 January 2016 10:59 AM

In USA, only Christian only, accepting to contest as a President of USA. Only Christian should be elected as a President of USA. Even in India, only Hindu only can become Prime Minister of India, even in Pakistan only Muslim should be President and Prime Minister. Iran and entire Gulf Countries also same.

Hubert Monday, 04 January 2016 08:29 AM

Have you forgotten the disastrous 1972 constitution and 1977

kali Sunday, 03 January 2016 07:35 PM

If what Dinesh says is true then it is the new Sri Lankan order dictated to by India , USA and the UN and under pressure what Sri Lanka signed up to.

Dinithi Sunday, 03 January 2016 06:27 PM

Yes he knows it is not final. So he is trying to modify it by exposing the shortcomings to public. He is doing a good thing.

Thanos Sunday, 03 January 2016 06:17 PM

Indeed what is needed is a secular constitution. Then all those talk about Sinhala country, Tamil homeland can be thrown out. When the state is neutral, your Race, religion, caste, etc is irrelevant.

Vithura Sunday, 03 January 2016 06:15 PM

If we go by what this politician says the Constitution will be an instrument of DISCRIMINATION as it is now. No Race or Religion should be given prominence or preference over the other in spirit or form in the proposed constitution, if Sri Lanka is to remain as a united country. Religion is spiritual and for the redemption of the soul, it has no place in politics. Anyone who espouses discriminatory views should be disenfranchised.

Sri Lankan Sunday, 03 January 2016 06:10 PM

Dinesh you and your party are a spent force in Sri Lankan politics.Do not arouse communal and religious feelings and embroil this country in an anarchy again!!!

Lalitha Sunday, 03 January 2016 05:23 PM

Religion and race should not in the constitution of the country. Only unity and integrity.

TONY Sunday, 03 January 2016 01:53 PM

DINESH BEING A VETERAN POLITICIAN SHOULD KNOW KNOW THAT PROPOSALS ARE NOT FINAL

R.R.Rohan Sunday, 03 January 2016 04:25 PM

his survival in politics depends on his speeches on Race and religion,

Bibit Sunday, 03 January 2016 04:16 PM

I am talking about the constitution of Sri Lanka. Not an national anthem.

Sunil Sunday, 03 January 2016 03:37 PM

No need of any Tamil, Muslim or Sinhala Buddhist State make Sri Lanka a Secular State and unite all communities and treat them as equals. no one is better than the other we are all Sri Lankans.

BUSHEL Sunday, 03 January 2016 03:22 PM

But fact is a fact

Barney Sunday, 03 January 2016 03:20 PM

There should not be any prominence given to any religion or race. These relics should be retired along with their outdated and divisive views..

Sapu Sunday, 03 January 2016 02:50 PM

Keep religion to you self country should be secular

Jaya Sunday, 03 January 2016 02:40 PM

If race is to be kept out of constitution why talk about a north-east province amalgamation.

Raja Sunday, 03 January 2016 02:38 PM

God save the queen-uk national anthem.Which god are they talking about?

Bibit Sunday, 03 January 2016 02:13 PM

Race and religion should be kept out of the constitution. We are all Sri Lankans.

Chandler Sunday, 03 January 2016 02:04 PM

I feel for my country, religion and the affects of other region actions on Buddhists. We will fight for it.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Dinesh: Unitary State, place of Buddhism omitted in new proposals

Comments - 22

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

New Visa procedure implemented

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES