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Crucial decision on the constitution next week: PM

28 June 2017 03:10 pm - 11     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Constitution Assembly Steering Committee will meet next week to decide on the procedure to be adopted when enacting the new constitution, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremeisnghe said today.

He said this when addressing a conference on the new constitution organized by the onstitutional Assembly Secretariat and pointed out that the Steering Committee at its meeting next week would decide whether to include all provisions of the constitution in the interim report or to include only the provisions which did not need a referendum.

“Do we include all provisions or do we only include those which do not need a referendum in the steering Committee report? This is one of the questions we will debate next week. We are reaching a crucial stage in the consensus building process on the constitution,” the Prime Minister said.

"We have decided on an electoral system with 60 per cent under the first-past-the-post system and 40 per cent on the proportional representation system. Some smaller parties have submitted proposals on this matter which we need to discuss. We also have to decide on the legal procedure to be followed if and when the Bills are challenged. The necessary legislation has been decided by Parliament. Have we to transmit this to Supreme Court or are we to have a separate mechanism. There is also an agreement on a senate. How the members are elected and the powers it will have will have to be decided. How are we to exercise executive power in relation to the 13th amendment? Executive power will remain with the central government. When we strengthen Parliament we have to decide how to keep the power of the executive during an emergency. We have to discuss these matters in full,” he said. “There is no provision to take away the prominence given to Buddhism. The question is how to give members of other religions the right of worship,” he added.

Mr Moseneke in his address said how an interim constitution was prepared before the preparation and enacting a fully-fledged constitution in that country. Also he related how the rights of minority whites, rights of mixed races and all 11 ethnic groups in South Africa were ensured by South Africa. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 11

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  • MUSTHAQ Wednesday, 28 June 2017 04:53 PM

    Great knowledge and Wisdom, will our young and future Parliamentarians posses these??. This is a lifetime of experience God Bless u..

    Namal Wednesday, 28 June 2017 05:13 PM

    Before dreaming of changing the constitution, get a grip on managing the day to day affairs of the country.

    Upul Wednesday, 28 June 2017 05:17 PM

    You need to fulfill the promises you made to get into power, before going into constitutional amendments.

    sachith Wednesday, 28 June 2017 05:19 PM

    This will be nothing but season - 2 of cabinet reshuffle.

    Sathees Wednesday, 28 June 2017 05:26 PM

    Mr. PM you have to decide a lot of thing as per your statement. Why not first decide and let the citizens know.

    concern Wednesday, 28 June 2017 06:09 PM

    Exactly.Also whenever there is crisis in the country he is in travel mode.

    ceylon Wednesday, 28 June 2017 06:21 PM

    only decisions.no action.30 months still can make 10 page constitution. via DM Android App

    Don Simon Wednesday, 28 June 2017 11:00 PM

    I hope he will go abroad for a short holiday afterwards.

    neil alvis Wednesday, 28 June 2017 11:31 PM

    these fools are obssessed with constitutions while the people in this country suffer. how can these fools manage a country under any constitution?

    Namal Perera Thursday, 29 June 2017 05:05 AM

    What ever the decision may be, should be in the best interest of the Country and not to satisfy the International Community or what ever.

    Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 29 June 2017 09:54 AM

    Democracy can only work smoothly if no religious community demands a prominent position.


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