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Why panic about partitioning SL: PM

12 February 2019 08:27 am - 9     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said his government had not even worked out a draft of the new Constitution and as such no one should panic about moves being made to partition the country.

He said this at the opening of a new divisional secretariat building in Balapitiya on Sunday morning.

“Some are shouting about the new constitution. They say we are going to grant federalism and eventually trying to divide the nation. These views are being expressed by those who are politically bankrupt. How can we introduce a new constitution in a situation where we are even unable to prepare a draft,” the Premier asked.

He said there were several disagreements among the parties on several aspects though there was a consensus among them when it comes to the nature of the state and the status accorded to Buddhism.

"All the parties have agreed that Buddhism should be given the foremost place in the constitution, There are some minority parties saying the mixed electoral system introduced for elections to local bodies is problematic while the main political parties are in favour of a mixed system for all governing bodies. Under such circumstances, we might have to seek the people’s opinion on the electoral system. There are some who are opposed to the abolishing of the executive presidency while some of the political parties are of the view that there would be stability even in a Prime Minister-led system,” the Primer said.

He said the country might have to hold an election before enacting a new constitution. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 9

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  • Jayanath Tuesday, 12 February 2019 08:32 AM

    He is telling why panic? I will do it quietly

    Ranja Tuesday, 12 February 2019 10:01 AM

    Noooo, He is saying he and his government did not do it, Someone else did it for them. TNA claimed there is one, so they might have done it.

    ShakeSpear Tuesday, 12 February 2019 10:02 AM

    Sir, I follow the Buddhist philosophy and as such I am a temporary visit on planet earth. Plant earth too is temporary. Next time you are on a picnic to Kandy tell the guys in yellow fancy dress my opinion on dividing a land mass.

    Sam Tuesday, 12 February 2019 10:41 AM

    If you still talk about giving priority Buddhism or any other religion and to any community, there will never be true peace or prosperity in Sri Lanka. Ranil, again started murmuring. He should have the guts to firmly say unless there is a new constitution with proper devolution of power to provinces, there will be no future for Sri Lanka!

    Ronnie Tuesday, 12 February 2019 10:48 AM

    Ranil or mr should never be given absolute power. They will both destroy the country if given the chance. This is the best arrangement- pm and govt from one side, president from the othef

    M. Kesavan Tuesday, 12 February 2019 01:52 PM

    If all citizens are equally treated under Sri Lankan Law, why are they talking about “buddhism should be given the foremost place in the constitution “

    Milan Tuesday, 12 February 2019 01:55 PM

    Same thing you said when Arjun Mahendran went to Singapore

    Kumara Tuesday, 12 February 2019 02:02 PM

    It's sad we could not solve this Federal word from the days of SWRD ( who initiated this proposal) since 1926 and in 1956 through Banda/Chelva pact. The country would not have lost all its precious citizens over the later years if a new Constitution was evolved under a united island there and then. Hope the country would unite to achieve peacefully a new Constitution at least now for the sake of our future generations' Happy Life!

    Kumara Tuesday, 12 February 2019 02:03 PM

    It's sad we could not solve this Federal word from the days of SWRD ( who initiated this proposal) since 1926 and in 1956 through Banda/Chelva pact. The country would not have lost all its precious citizens over the later years if a new Constitution was evolved under a united island there and then. Hope the country would unite to achieve peacefully a new Constitution at least now for the sake of our future generations' Happy Life!


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