Sri Lanka cannot be divided: PM

17 January 2016 07:46 am - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In a special statement on the process of drafting a new Constitution, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today the country could not be divided and that no one had the slightest intention of diluting the unitary nature of the country through the new Constitution.

He said the new Constitution was being drafted within the parameters of the Sixth Amendment to the 1983 Constitution which prohibits the setting up of a separate state within the territory of Sri Lanka.

“Some say the foremost place given to Buddhism and the unitary nature of the country are being diluted through the new constitution. No one wants to divide the country. Most of us including me are Buddhists, I am Sinhalese and I need to unite the whole country. The draft will be passed with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. For those who speak of Buddhism losing its foremost place in the Constitution, I will make a special statement in Parliament. I ask the small parties not to politicize this issue,” the Prime Minister said. “The new constitution will be based on the aspirations of the people.”

He said the names of those in the committee to collect the views and proposals of the people via social media had been submitted by him to Cabinet on December 19, 2015.

The Prime Minister said the 24-member committee would also travel across the country to collect the views and proposals of the people.

“I am not keen to draft the new constitution inside a single chamber. I want the people to present their views to draft a Constitution which is suitable for the 21st century. The purpose of using the social media is to obtain the views of the youth who will be the future leaders of this country. This is the first time that the social media is being harnessed in drafting a new Constitution,” he said.

After the draft Constitution is passed with a two-thirds majority, it will be submitted to the Cabinet and then placed before the people at a referendum, he added. (Piyumi Fonseka)

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Comments - 22

Kandiah Sunday, 17 January 2016 11:56 PM

No one wants the country to be divided. Politicians always use the issue for their survival .Politics is always done on ethnic issue. Sinhalese and Tamils are good friends. But not the arrogant politicians.

Perumal Monday, 18 January 2016 10:21 AM

Sri Lankans, if ever, could be divided into criminals who seek refuge in patriotism on the one hand and law abiding citizens on the other. Even then the land will remain intact.

SL Monday, 18 January 2016 09:40 AM

If you are having a back bone tell other ethnic groups as well !And say that ,government ,as a policy, will not accept political parties with the ethnic names who really divide people within the country finally stop deforestation happening in Wilpattu in the name of a single ethnic group .then people will think that they are equal every where within the country

BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 18 January 2016 09:20 AM

Betrayal, patriotism are terms often used by Ali Baba and 40 thieves. This is their only marketing tactic to flees the country and to cover up their criminal misdeeds.

Jagath L Monday, 18 January 2016 08:37 AM

We didnt want any body to devide this country and we know that. Its politicians who try do that for petty gains.

sobers Monday, 18 January 2016 08:33 AM

United we win, divided we loose! First and foremost, get rid of all those who try to raise racist feelings. Treat all alike, respect all religions, stop ethnic conversion done by some groups for money. Politicians are the people who divide the masses. We need to be a developed country, for this to happen, we have to be broadminded and think positive!

Indraj Fonseka Monday, 18 January 2016 08:27 AM

Srilanka has to remain as a bilingual country until the end of the age in the Bible.

Indraj Fonseka Monday, 18 January 2016 08:22 AM

Whether it is Buddhism, Hinduism, or Pantheism are all pagan religions of man made religions. Event the Roman ism and today Protestantism are all corrupted versions of Christianity. The one responsible for all those corrupt religions is Lucifer the fallen angel of God of the Bible. He is named in the bible as Satan the Devil. Therefore apart from true scripture believing Christians all others worship Satan through their decoys manufactured by Lucifer.

Adahan Monday, 18 January 2016 08:10 AM

The unified opposition has no substance to fight for their survival as the PM is getting stronger and stronger by well calculated speech with missiles to corner them.

HER BEE PEE Monday, 18 January 2016 05:51 AM

PEOPLE SOUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THE GOT TO PROVIDE THE MOST PRESENTLY INADEQUATE FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER AND THE LIKEWISE. THIS NEED OF THE CHANGE OF THE CONSTITUTION AROSE IN THE MINDS OF RANIL AND CHANDRIKA.

idroos2002 Sunday, 17 January 2016 11:56 PM

Sir We respect your as a true stateman who could treat minorities with the right treatment automatically the minorities would struggle to keep the unitary status of sri lanka

onlooker Sunday, 17 January 2016 03:24 PM

Finally RW has come back to earth. But the committee appointed consists of incompetent characters.

Naushad Samoon Sunday, 17 January 2016 11:45 PM

We live

TungaAmara Sunday, 17 January 2016 07:50 PM

Correct, SL cannot be divided

Jenis Sunday, 17 January 2016 07:28 PM

If all are accepted as equal, there is no need for division. With is idea we must proceed.

ANTON Sunday, 17 January 2016 07:26 PM

FINALLY THEY ARE GOING TO STOP TALKING ABOUT CID, FCID .... BRAZIER ID , AND COME BACK TO THE MAIN TOPICS

Jiffry Haniffa Sunday, 17 January 2016 06:31 PM

Good one sir you are a great statement who could be trusted

Jiffry Haniffa Sunday, 17 January 2016 06:28 PM

Well said Sir you are a great statement and we trust you

Lal Sunday, 17 January 2016 06:06 PM

Well said !!!!

Chandri Sunday, 17 January 2016 06:05 PM

Should we keep trust on a statement of a person who betrayed the country in 2001? Mr. RW we have not forgotten the past. But, will see whether what you say is practiced by you in the same way you are promising us.

The King Sunday, 17 January 2016 03:47 PM

No person shall, directly or indirectly, in or outside Sri Lanka, support, espouse, promote, finance, encourage or advocate the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka..

Buwa Sunday, 17 January 2016 03:45 PM

We Sri Lankans will never let the country to be divided

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Sri Lanka cannot be divided: PM

Comments - 22

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