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President pledges new Constitution based on 'one country, one law' principle

20 August 2020 03:47 pm - 41     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his inaugural address to the ninth Parliament today, pledged to bring about a new Constitution envisaging the principle ‘One country, One law’ for all ethnic communities.

He said the 19th Amendment to the Constitution would be scrapped. He said a new electoral system would be evolved in this exercise to enable the formation of stable governments in the future instead of weak governments beholden to the demands of extremist parties.

The President said the constructive features of the present electoral system of proportional representation would be retained in working out the new system.

“The basis of the success of a democratic state is its constitution. Our Constitution, which has been amended 19 times, from its inception in 1978, has many ambiguities and uncertainties, presently resulting in confusion. As the people have given us the mandate we sought for a constitutional amendment, our first task will be to remove the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. After that, all of us will get together to formulate a new constitution suitable for the country. In this, the priority will be given to the concept of one country, one law for all the people,” the President said.

“An unstable Parliament that cannot take firm decisions and succumbs to extremist influences very often is not suitable for a country. While introducing a new constitution, it is essential to make changes to the current electoral system. While retaining the salutary aspects of the proportional representation system, these changes will be made to ensure stability of the Parliament and people’s direct representation,” he added.

“I love my country. I am proud of my country. I have a vision for my country. Our ardent desire is to build a prosperous nation with a productive citizen, contented family and a righteous society. What we have done so far as well as the plans we propose to implement in future will be aimed at achieving this objective. We have arrived at an important landmark in history. The people have given the current government a massive mandate. We have been given the responsibility to take the country towards prosperity while safeguarding the people and protecting the sovereignty of the country without succumbing to any force. The present generation must fulfil that responsibility for the sake of the future generations. This is the Motherland of all of us. Hence, the time has come for all of us to join hands for the sake of the country irrespective of race, religion or party differences. In the current political culture, most of the people’s representatives, after they get elected, neglect the prime duty of going to the people. When I travelled round the country in the recent past, this was confirmed by the people who voiced their grievance on this matter. Henceforth, ministers, state ministers as well as members of Parliament will fulfil this expectation of the people by visiting them often to understand their issues and find solutions to their issues. Constantly I will review the progress of the achievement of the goals of the Government that are implemented through Ministries and the public sector. If I find any Ministry failing to achieve its set targets, I will not hesitate to effect necessary changes to implement policies of the Government. In the National Policy Framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’, we promised the people that we would eradicate waste and corruption. This is a core responsibility for all of us. We will take steps to completely eradicate waste and corruption in all the Ministries and institutions. In future I will not hesitate to enforce the law against those who are involved in fraud and corrupt actions, irrespective of the status of any such perpetrators,” he also said.

The President then explained the rationale behind the allocation of ministries in the new cabinet and said the following. "Parents request for their children’s education suitable schools. The shortage of national schools was evident in every area. Most schools have significantly inadequate facilities. Shortage of teachers, laboratories and lack of facilities were frequently mentioned. Although we request the children to follow science and technological subjects in order to successfully contribute to the economy, their schools do not have facilities to teach those subjects. We will accord priority to those issues through ministries assigned with new responsibilities. We have ascertained the requirement of people centric economy for our economic revival. When forming ministries, special attention was given in assigning their subjects and tasks to cover fields such as agriculture, plantation, fisheries, traditional industries and promotion of self-employed job opportunities which affect most of the people in the country,” he said. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 41

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  • mithila Thursday, 20 August 2020 03:52 PM

    Hail secularism and non racial differentiation!! The best president ever

    Warren Raed Thursday, 20 August 2020 03:55 PM

    You may change the constitution, but there will always be three different laws. One law for the politicians and ex-politicians, another law for the rich and well connected and yet another law for the uneducated and the poor.

    Farieze Thursday, 20 August 2020 04:04 PM

    Started racist policy

    Sando Thursday, 20 August 2020 04:06 PM

    Very good Your Excellency.......

    MirakRajBanda Thursday, 20 August 2020 04:27 PM

    and will that law place Budhism above the law itself?

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 20 August 2020 04:31 PM

    Did we see efficiency with Mihin Lanka? H'tota Port? Mattala A'port? Rajapakse Museum? Lotus Tower? Is the new constitution to assist continuation in similar projects?

    siva nallaiah Thursday, 20 August 2020 04:36 PM

    If there is a will, there is a way. If the President can put corrupt people behind bars (even family) and give merit its due place, select dedicated people for teaching profession, YES, WE CAN DO IT. SN

    Bandu Wanigasekera Thursday, 20 August 2020 05:59 PM

    If you can, as your first project, ensure "One Country, One Law" we can move ahead at least 50% with less bribery, corruption and other injurious afflictions rampant in society. Strict enforcement with equal status to rich poor famous and politico is essential. Society is built around the "Law." Good luck.

    Chelva Durai Thursday, 20 August 2020 06:02 PM

    Pancha (Five) Rajapakses military rule starts today. Don't forget what happened to JR's UNP. History will repeat.

    silva Thursday, 20 August 2020 06:02 PM

    were there two countries before?!

    Malai AnnaMalai Thursday, 20 August 2020 06:04 PM

    I saw Buffalo and warren but where is sokrates and Wolfenstein!!! Need to have their usual negative doom and gloom comments. Perhaps you guys are more aligned to Colombo telegraph you will feel at home in there!!!

    Sokrates Thursday, 20 August 2020 06:09 PM

    A constitution which will benefit only the ruling Mafia Family.

    Sam Thursday, 20 August 2020 06:15 PM

    Will this include school admission criteria too?

    Samson Thursday, 20 August 2020 07:13 PM

    Good if one law can be maintained but how when we have three sets of people the important, the rich and ordinary.

    pantha Kumar Thursday, 20 August 2020 07:21 PM

    Be honest I can tell the President and his brother and nephews under Rajapakses policy there is no future for the country. They will sell our motherland to China. We will see in 5 years what plans they have. Talking is great.

    ram Thursday, 20 August 2020 07:46 PM

    Tamils should initiate a campaign for one rule and one language (Tamil) and on country (Tamileelam). It can be parallel to Sinhalese's slogan for one country and one rule

    lk Friday, 21 August 2020 08:09 AM

    ya true.. do it in India though..

    Expat Thursday, 20 August 2020 07:48 PM

    Yes, one country but two states. In our UK it's four states in one country and all live happily. In SL with two languages definitely needs two states. Common sense.

    Judge Thursday, 20 August 2020 07:56 PM

    One country - okay, SL is one country! One law? Whose law??/

    Nimal Thursday, 20 August 2020 08:07 PM

    Will that one law of the one country apply to all as "One Law"?

    vithura Thursday, 20 August 2020 08:36 PM

    If he says what he is saying 'No Religion, Race or Language' should be given priority of place above the rest, with equitable law taking precedence above all! ! Let's see if he can do that, if he does it he would be able to count on the support of many in this island.

    Hassanda Thursday, 20 August 2020 09:00 PM

    Very commendable speech by a Working President Hope all communities be as One Sri Lanka Family God Bless Mother Lanka

    sach Thursday, 20 August 2020 09:02 PM

    Sinhalese never learn from history

    Ranaweera Thursday, 20 August 2020 09:14 PM

    This is a President who is practically working day and night. He loves his country. We have a country because of you. You saved us from the worst of war and Covid. That is enough for us to trust you that you will deliver. So the rest of 225. Just follow him.

    Chitura Thursday, 20 August 2020 09:49 PM

    Malai, So why don't you beat Socrates with arguments? What are your own statements? Is this all you can come up with?

    sameer Thursday, 20 August 2020 10:29 PM

    so many negative comments these are the people who only complain but never take action....for once we have a president who is capable of bringing a change be positive n give him a chance i'm sure we will be a better country than what we are today in a few years time...first of remember no matter what religion you belong to or what language you communicate end if the day we are all Sri Lankans....and we should all have one law

    Thushara Friday, 21 August 2020 05:29 AM

    This is what i have always wished for my mother land

    niroshan mendis Friday, 21 August 2020 06:09 AM

    Sri Lankan's and the World witnessed to Gota's 'One Country One Law' principle at Thonda's funeral.

    Uncle Sam Friday, 21 August 2020 06:14 AM

    The majority who voted for him and SPP should think, if the Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is as patriotic has he claims to be, why did he take on American Citizenship in the first place? Is his patriotism a matter of convenience?

    Odin Friday, 21 August 2020 07:07 AM

    Of course Silva, didn't you know? One for the Royal Family and one for the serfs!!!

    DJ Friday, 21 August 2020 08:17 AM

    We already have a constitution and I don't see 2 countries and 2 laws. Its just that the politicians are the only ones who manipulate the constitution. This new constitution is a waste of time and resources when our economy is struggling

    Truth Friday, 21 August 2020 10:12 AM

    One country One Law similar to china ?

    Shirani fernando Friday, 21 August 2020 10:47 AM

    This is very good move reason being handful monks taking the law to there own hand. Now it’s like becoming a Covid in Sri Lanka . All this will get stopped.

    Laughing Budha Friday, 21 August 2020 11:18 AM

    Equal treatment irrespective of race, religion, party differences and etc. But Priority of Buddhism! What is he talking about?

    somasiva Friday, 21 August 2020 11:27 AM

    Please someone enlighten on secularism. Dictionary meaning does not tally with present situation.

    sivsoma Friday, 21 August 2020 11:44 AM

    If one country and one law, is religion out of this?

    kumar Friday, 21 August 2020 12:41 PM

    Anything you can change, but nothing is permanent in the changing world!

    anil Friday, 21 August 2020 01:01 PM

    No one can predict tomorrow

    Sen Friday, 21 August 2020 01:15 PM

    Your wish is good but in K'gala,incident,your one law won't work properly and still not.recent commission case of Srilankan airline commission issue fingers pointing at a father and a son,will you serve them one rule policy,hope and wish you succeed of serving justice,without split among your family members

    Antony Jude Friday, 21 August 2020 04:58 PM

    If you really want to have a constitution based on 'one country, one law' principle, then please remove the the clause 'Sinhala only' from the constitution. Because it is the main cause of ethnic crisis in Srilanka.

    Why Con Friday, 21 August 2020 08:48 PM

    Why need a Constitution, when we already have plenty of con institutions?


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