Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-04-23 11:51:00
24 September 2017 12:18 pm - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said today that the government was trying to bring in the new Constitution on the requirement of the Western forces and Tamil Diaspora to please Tamil separatists.
He told a news conference that President Maithripala Sirisena had assured UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zaid Al Hussein that Sri Lanka was carrying out UNHRC recommendations and added that the new Constitution was also being drafted according to that.
He said country’s Constitution, which was its basic legal system, could not be changed on the whims of foreign forces.
He said the Central Government, President and the Prime Minister would function for their name sake as all the powers including Police, Administration, Finance, Land and Enacting Laws would be granted to Provincial Councils in the new Constitution.
“The country will be divided into nine regions, where separate laws and administration would prevail. The country will become jumbled. Is this for what 27, 000 war heroes sacrificed their lives?” he asked.
Mr. Weerawansa said Tamil separatists had been trying to fulfill their needs through the Constitution for a long time, where they once did it through the 13th Amendment under J.R. Jayewardene.
He said the then President J.R. Jayewardene acted to pass the 13th Amendment by seeking advice from the Attorney General without going for a referendum and added that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was also following the same suite by bringing in amendments during the committee stage going against the Supreme Court decision.
“He followed the same strategy in bringing in the Provincial Councils Amendment Bill and Local Government Elections Bill, where amendments were made during the Committee Stage contracted to the bill forwarded to the Supreme Court.
“It is possible to bring in such contradicting amendments to the new Constitution also during the Committee Stage. The concept of Unitary State may also be changed to Federal State during Committee Stage and get a two thirds majority in Parliament,” he said. (Ajith Siriwardana)
Lord Wolfstein Sunday, 24 September 2017 03:39 PM
Mr. Weerawansa, you are a Sinhala-Buddhist racist, which is recognized by the fact that you only mention the number of fallen soldiers, but not the number of the killed Tamil civilian population. The new constitution is not written on the requirement of the Western forces and Tamil Diaspora, but by local intelligent and liberal persons in the name of equality for all, while respecting human rights. Mr. Werawansa, You want to sacrifice the future of this country to your own selfish interests.
Samitha Sunday, 24 September 2017 04:08 PM
There's a need for power sharing. But it must NOT go beyond the District as the unit of devolution.
Kalu Sunday, 24 September 2017 04:18 PM
It creates lots of room for suspicion when a govt tries to engage in constitution drafting in a hurry and secrecy.
Lol Monday, 25 September 2017 12:17 AM
What secrecy? The draft was made public and is being debated in Parliament!
Dingiri Sunday, 24 September 2017 04:23 PM
Hope the Mahanayakas will prevail upon the govt to tackle the burning issues of nation and shelve the constitution project.
Killa Monday, 25 September 2017 12:16 AM
What right does skinheads have to command a democratic government?
Dharmakeerthi Sunday, 24 September 2017 04:26 PM
If there's ever a moment for all Sri Lankans to unite to safeguard their country from future division, it would be to oppose the new constitution.
Real Peace Sunday, 24 September 2017 05:13 PM
For the first time Tamils have agreed to share powers in an undivided Sri Lanka, but if Sinhala majority turns this down the Tamils will be well placed to ask for a separate state and there will be a great deal of international sympathy for them.
surasena Sunday, 24 September 2017 06:20 PM
Sri Lanka will only be safeguarded via sharing power with people of this land regardless of their religion and ethnicity. A great opportunity is presented for that by this Constitution and it is up to the majority to decide whether to take it or leave it. This would be too important the Sinhalese power-mongering politicos to decide on behalf of masses. The masses must come forward.
Sudunoona Sunday, 24 September 2017 07:08 PM
Spot on Real Peace. This guy play Wimal play into the hand of the separatists who bet on these guys for their agenda.
surasena Sunday, 24 September 2017 06:15 PM
What this Guy know about constitutions? One needs some education to see the future and make necessary adjustments. As a nation we must honor the rights of all religions and ethnic groups and that is the beauty of Buddhism. These guys running havoc and playing to the gallery just secure a couple of votes from extremes.
GH Sunday, 24 September 2017 11:33 PM
No well educated JR's 13 amendment led the country into real havoc.
Hautaum Sunday, 24 September 2017 06:24 PM
Realized, not only number of SL soldiers, but also number rebels, Indian army, civilian also were killed. t is time for power sharing as how other countries shared powers within the communities.
TONY Sunday, 24 September 2017 06:40 PM
ALL CITIZENS SHOULD HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS
GH Sunday, 24 September 2017 11:35 PM
This can be held under Unitary state not by a de-facto scheme.
weera wickrama Sunday, 24 September 2017 06:51 PM
Any fool can understand what will happens to the country.Clearing path to total destruction.Our 225 ready to clear the path.
karthik Sunday, 24 September 2017 09:36 PM
You are the pundit in constitution matters and be preaparedto accept invitations from countries to draft their constitutions. When you all hold two NICs
GH Sunday, 24 September 2017 11:37 PM
But he has real Sri Lankan identity! not a dual citizenship.
VMS Monday, 25 September 2017 12:11 AM
If we have half a dozen politicians like WIMAL in Sri Lanka we certainly will never prosper. How many of us knew how much foreign debt we have to repay. This man is only interest in racist ideology. Sadly we keep on electing this man to parliament.
Gihan Monday, 25 September 2017 08:04 AM
The most knowledgeable person on constitutions has spoken!! One must First get at least his A'level qualifications before trying to understand more complex matters!
Dhammika Tuesday, 26 September 2017 06:09 AM
So what do you want to please you and keep your foul mouth shut ! .
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.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animal
According to villagers from Naula-Moragolla out of 105 families 80 can afford
Is the situation in Sri Lanka so grim that locals harbour hope that they coul
A recent post on social media revealed that three purple-faced langurs near t
