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New Constitution through referendum; politicians decree
Political parties across the board yesterday agreed on the need for the new Constitution to be approved by the people at a referendum after it gets two third approval of Parliament.
The strongest call for a referendum came from the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan who said that sovereignty is vested with the people and hence it was essential to get the people’s support. “There can be a new Constitution for the country only if it is approved by all the people of the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister endorsed this saying that the Leader of the TNA accepted that the support of the majority community is essential to enact a new constitution. The leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka as well as the leader of the Joint Opposition group Dinesh Gunawardena said that it was essential for the people to give their approval for a new constitution.
The Prime Minister said the nature of the State and the status of religion will remain unchanged in a new Constitution but will only be strengthened and made more inclusive.
“We have discussed these two issues at length and we have no intention of changing the nature of either the state or religion,” the Prime Minister said when the Constitutional Assembly met in the Chamber of Parliament last morning.
The Prime Minister who heads the Steering Committee tasked with drafting a new Constitution also tabled in the House reports of six sub committees on Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, Finance, National and Public Security, Public Order and Police and Law Enforcement, Public Service Reforms and Centre-Periphery Relations.
The Prime Minister, opposition leader and all leaders in parliament stated yesterday that the draft for new constitution needed not only a two third majority of parliament but also the passing by people in a referendum.
He said three alternatives had been proposed to replace the executive Presidency and the best would be selected taking into consideration the opinion of the Parliament and people.
The Constitutional Assembly will meet on January 10, 11 and 12 to discuss the draft constitution. Ahead of that the Steering Committee will present its report on December 10.
The Prime Minister said that the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly had met for 40 sessions and held extensive discussions on the first and second chapters of the constitution namely the subject of nature of the state and religion.
Chief Opposition Whip JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said that out of 19 amendments introduced to the present constitution, 17 were intended to consolidate the power of the ruling party at the time.
“We need a constitution that reflects the aspirations of the people. We believe that the executive presidency should be abolished. After it is approved by parliament, it must be referred to the people to make the final choice,” he said.
Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said that the Joint Opposition submitted to the Steering Committee a document containing 14 principles for the new constitution. He said that the JO would not agree to anything outside those fundamental principles.
He also asked the government not to rush through the constitution making process.